Partnering for Student Success: Mobile Device Policy Resources

Our Current Mobile Device Policy

Welcome, families and students! This page is your central resource for understanding our district's approach to mobile devices on campus.

In our commitment to fostering an environment where every student can thrive, we are partnering with our families to support a district-wide policy focused on student well-being and academic engagement. We believe that by minimizing device-based distractions during class, we can help students connect more deeply with their learning, their teachers and their peers.

Our goal is to work together to create a positive, present and focused school culture. Below, you will find resources, including answers to frequently asked questions, to help you understand the policy and our school's specific practices.

We appreciate your partnership in this important effort.

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): The community shared their thoughts and ideas on our ThoughtExchange platform. You told us what works, what concerns you, and what solutions you propose, and rated the ideas shared by others.

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

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

Board Consideration of Final Policy Recommendation (May 2025): In May 2025, the board adopted a mobile device policy to comply with AB 3216, restricting student use of phones and other mobile devices during instructional time. Schools also had the option to implement additional restrictions during non-instructional times.

Implementation (2025-26 School Year): The new policy was fully implemented in January 2026.

Feedback Check-In (December 2025 and May 2026): Surveys conducted in December and May of students (grades 6–12), parents/guardians and staff showed growing support for the policy. In the May survey, 65% of students and 88% of parents/guardians reported they were still able to communicate about important matters during the school day despite the restrictions. Staff continued to identify consistent enforcement as an area for improvement.

Following a board request to explore all-day restrictions, survey results showed strong support for expanded restrictions at elementary, K-8 and middle schools. Support was lower at the high school level, where respondents cited student independence, work-based learning opportunities and enforcement challenges on larger campuses.

Board Consideration of Policy Updates (June 2026): Based on survey feedback and implementation data, the board approved revisions to the policy requiring mobile devices to be restricted for the entire school day at elementary, K-8 and middle schools starting with the 2026-27 school year.

Implementation of Revised Policy (2026-27 School Year): The revised policy will be fully implemented by elementary, K-8 and middle schools.

FAQs: Partnering on Mobile Device Usage for Focused Student Learning

What's Covered?

Q: Why is the district implementing this policy?

A: The goal of this policy is to support student well-being and academic success. By limiting the use of mobile devices, we can help create a more focused, engaging, and connected school environment, which is essential for learning.

Q: What devices does this policy apply to?

A: The policy applies to all personal mobile communication devices, including (but not limited to) cellphones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and earbuds.

Q: How does this policy relate to California Assembly Bill 3216 (AB 3216)?

A: Under AB 3216, California school districts are required to adopt a policy that limits student use of mobile devices in an effort to support focused learning and the mental health and well-being of students. This policy meets the requirements of AB3216.

Q: What students and parent voice was included in developing the policy?

A: Nearly 5,000 students, parents/guardians, staff members and others shared their thinking in a ThoughtExchange, offering more than 3,600 thoughts and more than 64,000 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.

Your School's Practice

Q: How are the specific rules for our school decided?

A: Each school's leadership team, in collaboration with the entire staff, develops a single, uniform practice for the campus. This ensures that the rules are clear and consistent in every classroom. This practice is then included in the school's Comprehensive School Safety Plan, student handbooks and other communications from your school site.

Q: Will the rule be the same in all of my student's classes?

A: Yes. To ensure consistency for students and staff, a single, uniform practice must be used across the entire campus and in every classroom.

Q: Do schools that already have a phone policy need to change it?

A: If a school's existing practice already aligns with the new district policy, it does not need to be changed. The practice simply needs to be formally documented in the school's safety plan.

Contacting Your Student and Special Circumstances

Q: Can my student use their phone in an emergency?

A: Yes. In an emergency situation, such as a school lockdown, students must be permitted to use their devices once staff have determined it is safe to do so. The method for storing devices during class will ensure students can access them in an emergency.

Q: What if my student needs their phone because they feel unsafe at school?

A: These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis. If a student or parent/guardian raises a safety concern, the school will convene a threat assessment meeting to develop an appropriate safety plan. If it is determined that access to a mobile device is necessary, it will be included in the student's safety plan.

Q: My student has an IEP or 504 plan. How does this policy affect them?

A: Students with an IEP or 504 plan are subject to the same restrictions unless their plan specifically allows for the use of a device to meet their needs. If a device is allowed, the plan should specify how and when it can be used.

Q: Are there times when a teacher will let students use their phones in class?

A: Yes. A teacher may grant permission for students to use their devices during instructional time at high schools if the purpose is to directly support the lesson or activity taking place in the classroom.

Enforcement and Violations

Q: Can I contact my student during the school day?

A: You can always contact the school office to get a message to your student during the school day. Many high schools also provide an opportunity for students to check their devices for messages during non-instructional time.

Q: What happens if a student uses their phone when they aren't supposed to?

A: Schools will use progressive discipline for violations, which aligns with existing site practices. Consequences may include but is not limited to verbal warnings, referrals to the administration, and conversations with parents/guardians.

Q: What are the consequences for repeated violations?

A: Progressive discipline will continue. If a student violates the practice on three or more school days, the school administration may require the student to turn in their device upon arrival at school each day or prohibit the student from bringing a device to campus altogether.

Q: If a student has to turn in their phone for the day due to repeated violations, where is it kept?

A: In cases of repeated violations where a student must turn in their device, it may be kept in any secure location on campus as determined by the site administrator. In this specific circumstance, it is not required to be stored in the same room as the student.

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