Phone-Free Schools: California’s 2026 Device Use Deadline
California joins the national phone-free movement with a 2026 implementation deadline. Early results from districts show it's already working.
Amid growing concerns over student focus and well-being, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Phone-Free School Act (AB 3216) into law.
This legislation requires California public schools and charter schools to implement policies limiting or prohibiting student phone use by July 1, 2026.
What the California Ban Requires for Districts
By July 2026, every California district must:
Seek input from key stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators on policy guidelines
Establish a phone-use policy that applies to all schools and all grades K-12
Tailor implementation plans to the unique needs of each school
Include exemptions for students with health needs or those in specific educational programs, as well as for emergency situations
Under the legislation, districts are also required to review and update their policies every five years.
To get ahead of the deadline, download the California Phone-Free Program Overview (PDF) for a quick reference guide covering new requirements, initial implementation outcomes, and how Yondr supports schools in creating phone-free classrooms.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PHONE-FREE SCHOOLS
•
LEARN MORE ABOUT PHONE-FREE SCHOOLS •
What State Leaders Are Saying
California’s phone-free legislation has sparked strong support from both state lawmakers and education officials. Leaders agree that removing phones from classrooms is not just a disciplinary issue, but also a way to reclaim focus, academic time, and student mental health.
Governor Gavin Newsom has spoken frequently about the dangers of excessive smartphone usage.
First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom emphasized the importance of making space for more meaningful in-person connections.
Rep. John Hoover recognized the importance of the bipartisan legislation for improved mental health and academic outcomes.
Districts That Have Already Made The Shift
Long before California AD3216 law was passed, forward-thinking California educators partnered with Yondr to implement effective phone-free environments using Yondr’s patented lockable pouches to reduce digital distractions and create focused spaces where students and faculty can thrive.
Schools that implemented Yondr’s Phone-Free Schools Program ahead of the mandate are reporting big wins like increased social interaction and happier students overall.
San Mateo-Foster City School District
“Having our phones [in Yondr pouches] made it easier to make friends, because I can’t go off on my phone and not make conversation with people,” she said. “It almost forced it — in a really good way.”
—Lulu Bertolina, San Mateo High School junior
“As a teacher, you see students look down into their backpacks … They’ll look up, down, up, down — they’ll find their way to be able to respond to that text,” he said. “Because of the pouches storing the phones away, leaving them in a backpack, we don’t see that anymore.”
—Diego Perez, District Spokesperson
“Our teachers were emphatic from the beginning that it is absolutely helping kids pay attention in class. We saw a huge decrease of prevalent student depression on campus, and a decrease by over 20% of student bullying in our schools.”
—Diego Ochoa, Superintendent, San Mateo-Foster City School District
Los Angeles Unified School District
“As they leave for the day, they just tap their pouches on this magnet, and then it will unlock. They keep their pouches with them and bring them back in the morning.”
—Sidra Dudley, Principal, Marina Del Rey Middle School
“It's beautiful. I feel like the kids are actually engaged. And they seem — this is crazy — but they seem a lot happier.”
—Aisha Nash, Teacher, Marina Del Rey Middle School
Enhancing the Educational Experience for Everyone
Phone-free policies are a win-win for teachers and students. When devices are removed from classrooms, educators find they can focus on actual instruction without ongoing disruptions, while students begin engaging and rebuilding genuine connections with their peers.
Recent data shows positive impacts in schools that have implemented these policies:
New data from the Pew Research Center found that 74% of U.S. adults support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, up from 68% last fall (Pew Research).
A prior Pew Research Center report cited by the NEA showed that 90% of teachers support banning phones during instructional time, with many linking phone use to increased teacher frustration and burnout (NEA.org).
A pilot study from Auburn University found that teachers in a phone-free middle school reported increased social interaction among students and said the new environment made their work more meaningful and sustainable (Auburn University).
Research from Western Kentucky University found that the majority of teachers reported being distracted by students using their phones during class, impacting their ability to teach effectively (Western Kentucky University).
Join schools across the country that are working with Yondr to benefit entire school communities.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS GO PHONE-FREE
The Yondr Team Is Here To Support California Schools
Why wait for the deadline when your students and staff can begin reaping the benefits of phone-free classrooms almost immediately?
Yondr’s Phone-Free Schools Program is ready to help California districts transition to phone-free learning. We’ll partner with you to make the process as seamless as possible with:
Customized policy development tailored to your district’s needs
Comprehensive training and onboarding for staff, students, and parents
Secure, durable pouches that let students keep phones without the distractions
Reliable unlocking infrastructure to ensure smooth daily operations
Ongoing support to guarantee long-term success
Funding for Yondr may be available via the state’s Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant (LREBG) program. This provides one-time funds to county offices of education, school districts, and charter schools for learning recovery initiatives through the 2027–28 school year that, at a minimum, support academic learning recovery and staff and pupil social and emotional well-being.
Join the growing number of California schools already partnering with Yondr to embrace the future of phone-free classrooms.
Whether you’re a current partner or exploring Yondr for the first time, we’re here to help you navigate the transition to a phone-free culture. Our program is designed to support schools every step of the way—from rollout to long-term sustainability.
If you’d like to learn more about bringing Yondr to your school community, schedule a time to connect. We’d love to hear from you.