Mobile Device Policy

Share Your Feedback on the Draft Policy

Give us feedback on a draft policy on students’ use of cellphones and mobile devices by April 22!

Access the Draft Policy

What We Have Heard So Far

Nearly 5,000 students, parents/guardians, staff members and others shared their thinking in January and February in a ThoughtExchange, sharing more than 3,600 thoughts and more than 64,000 star ratings. The exchange revealed themes:

Distraction and Focus: Many of you said that mobile devices can distract students and make it hard for them to focus on schoolwork.
Safety and Communication: Participants also stressed that it is important for students to have their devices for safety reasons, especially in emergencies.
Privacy and Cyberbullying: Some of you are worried about privacy and the risk of cyberbullying when students use their devices without limits.
Consistency and Enforcement: Many want clear and consistent rules for all schools and grade levels to make sure the rules are fair and followed by everyone.

Ultimately, the voice of our community emphasized the need for clear and consistent policy regarding the use of mobile devices with a balanced focus on the learning environment and the necessity of having devices available in emergencies.

Access the full ThoughtExchange results.

Shaping the Future of Learning: Mobile Device Policy Input

San Juan Unified is committed to providing a focused and safe learning environment for all students. As technology evolves, so must our approach to its use in schools. That's why we're developing a new policy regarding student cellphone and connected device use in accordance with AB 3216. This policy will help us balance the potential benefits of technology with the need to minimize distractions, address behavioral concerns, and ensure student safety, including preventing issues like cyberbullying.

Why a Mobile Device Policy Matters

Cell phones and other mobile devices can be powerful learning tools in our classrooms that also help keep students and parents connected during the school day. However, a growing body of research highlights negative impacts these devices have on the school learning environment including:

Academic Performance – Most studies find a negative connection to student learning as devices can cause distractions to classroom learning. Studies note that it can take students and adults up to 20 minutes to regain focus and get back on track with their learning after being distracted by a mobile device notification.
Classroom Behaviors – Experience and research tell us that mobile devices can be used to disrupt fellow students and open opportunities for academic dishonesty.
Safety – A large body of research examines links between device usage and cyberbullying as well as students’ social isolation and harmful effects on mental health, especially when social media use is included.

In response, California passed a new law, AB 3216 that requires school districts adopt a policy restricting students’ use of cell phones by July 1 of 2026.

Mobile Device Policy Timeline

Community Voice Gathering (Feb. 7-19, 2025): Share your thoughts and ideas on our ThoughtExchange platform. Tell us what works, what concerns you, and what solutions you propose. Rate the ideas shared by others.

Draft Policy Creation (March 2025): Based on the input received, a draft policy will be created.

Community Feedback on Draft Policy (April 2025): The draft policy will be shared and the community will have another opportunity to provide feedback.

Board Consideration of Final Policy Recommendation (May 2025): The Board of Education will review the final policy recommendations, incorporating community feedback and consider it for adoption.

Implementation (2025-26 School Year): The new policy will be implemented at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

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