Los Angeles students heading back to class after President's Day will encounter a new mandate: a district-wide cell phone ban that officially takes effect on Tuesday. As approved last June by the LAUSD board, the ban aims at bolstering student engagement, mitigating bullying, and enhancing mental health. According to KTLA, "Cell phones must stay turned off and stored during school hours, including lunch."

While enforcement methods may vary, one rule is clear across all campuses: the devices are to remain off and out of sight throughout the day. Some schools, hoping to improve the students' attentiveness and reduce dependence on devices, are dangling a variety of storage solutions such as magnetic pouches and classroom holders. Enforcing a ban that was unanimously passed in 2024, CBS Los Angeles reports that some schools might choose to keep them locked up or simply keep them in the student’s backpacks.

The district, heeding the statewide initiative, the Phone-Free School Act signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August, ensures that despite the ban, students' phones are readily accessible in case of emergencies, conforming to California's safety guidelines. "Students will finally be separated from mobile phones during the regular school day, allowing them to be the kids they are," LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in November, as per a statement obtained by KTLA.

Exceptions to the ban are cited for various reasons, which include health considerations, individualized education programs, and translation necessities. While students caught violating the new policy could face consequences, including the loss of their devices, provisions have been made to ensure that in the case of an emergency, the use of their cell phones will be permitted. As per CBS News Los Angeles, among the outlined circumstances is when "a licensed physician or surgeon determines it is necessary for health or well-being."