SAN JOSE, CALIF — Research states that with many benefits, Silver Creek could potentially lean into a more positive environment if cell phones got banned. 

Students will be able to focus in class by a large factor, and cyber-related drama or bullying could significantly go down. However, working a system in order to make sure that student’s phones will be secure and in reach in case of an emergency is equally as important.

School districts in California can now completely restrict or ban cell phone usage during school hours, and Silver Creek is not far off from adapting this bill into the school regimen. 

When asked what Silver Creek will look like if phones are banned, English teacher Emily Lopez states, “Beautiful. I think students will have more academic success, get along better, and have no drama since no phones are present.” 

California Governor Gavin Newsom passed a bill on September 26, stating that school districts are now required to limit or ban cell phone usage for students. And in 2026, school districts will then have to completely make their schools Phone-Free.

 The bill has been backed up with several facets of research that have contributed to the signing of the bill, many studies stating that frequent use of phones during school hours can impair learning, or even be utilized as a platform for cyberbullying. The attention spans of students today can also be directly attributed to the social or entertainment aspects that technology can generate with the use of several apps. And the results from recent implementations have been fairly mixed.

Many teachers have reported that the bill has produced positive outcomes for students, as it can help students concentrate more during class time without any distractions being a finger tap away. In contrast, many others argue that this ban could have an opposite effect. Banning cellphones could also lead to students facing isolation, as technology has allowed several ways to stay connected with friends and family.

Silver Creek has not yet adapted this bill into school policy. However, the results of other California districts can serve as a basis for what we could expect if Silver Creek no longer allows phone usage. And so far, the results can indicate a promising future overall.