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Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Press Release I'm opposed to CA STATE AB 3216 2024 as its written
serious flaws Some Lawmakers Consider Banning Cellphones If Schools Won't
Attachments:LETTER Bill AB 3212 Pupils use of smart phones prior bill AB 272 ..pdf;
202320240AB2657_Assembly Privacy And Consumer Protection (2).pdf; AB-2390
Social Media Harm Reduction Pilot Program.(2023-2024).pdf; AB-2390 Social Media
Harm Reduction Pilot Program..pdf; - Cyberbullying Protection Act ab 1504.pdf
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
05-25-2024 Press
Release
(P.R.D.D.C.)
PARENTS FOR THE RIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN
CRAIG A. DURFEY FOUNDER OF P.R.D.D.C.
U.S. HOUSE OF CONGRESS H2404 - HONORING CRAIG DURFEY FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST AUTISM
... Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2003-03-27/pdf/CREC-2003-03-27.pdf
1
Governor Gavin Newsom:
1021 O Street, Suite 9000: Sacramento,
CA 95814; Phone: (916) 445-2841 ...
State Board of Education
1430 N Street, Room 5111
Sacramento, California 95814
| SBE@sbe.ca.gov | 916-319-08
Speaker Robert Rivas
CA State Assembly
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0029
Tel: (916) 319-2029
Fax: (916) 319-2129
Tri TA State Assembly
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0070
Phone - 916-319-2070
Assembly Education Committee
Address
1020 N Street, Room 159
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone
(916) 319-2087
Assembly Health Committee
Address 1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone
(916) 319-2097
Fax
(916) 319-2197
CA State Senate
Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire
1021 O St., Suite 8518
2
Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Janet Nguyen
Capitol Office
1021 O Street, Suite 7130
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-4036
Rules Committee
Senate Rules Committee
State Capitol, Room 400
Sacramento, CA 95614
Phone: (916) 651-4120
Fax: (916) 445-1830
Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814
SEDN.committee@senate.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4105
Senate Public Safety Committee
1020 N Street, Room 545
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4118
Fax: (916) 445-4688
Senate Health Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3310
Sacramento , CA 95814
SHEA.Committee@senate.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 651-4111
U.S. Congress Education Committee
U.S. Senate Education Committee
Introduced by
Assembly Members Hoover, Lowenthal, and Muratsuchi
Dear Senate, Assembly
3
I’m opposed to CA State Assembly AB 3216 -2024 as its currently written it has serious
flaws with time to be affective, the language is weak compared to other states language
,
This bill would instead require, no later than July 1, 2026, require the governing body of a
school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt to, by July 1,
2026, develop and adopt, and to update every 5 years, a policy to limit or prohibit the use
by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are
under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district,
county office of education, or charter school, as provided. By imposing additional duties
on local educational agencies, the bill would constitute a state-mandated local
program.https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240
AB3216
I’m opposed to CA State SB 1283, as amended, Stern. Pupils: use of smartphones and
social media. the language is weak compared to other states language
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml? SB 1283, as amended, Stern.
Pupils: use of smartphones and social media.
SECTION 1. Section 48901.7 of the Education Code is amended to read:
48901.7. (a) (1) The governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a
charter school may adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones
or social media, or both, while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are
under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district,
county office of education, or charter school.
AB 3216, as amended, Hoover. Pupils: use of smartphones.
Existing law authorizes the governing body of a school district, a county office of
education, or a charter school to adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of
smartphones while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are under the
supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district, county
office of education, or charter school. Existing law, however, specifies circumstances in
which a pupil could not be prohibited from possessing or using a smartphone.
This bill would instead require, no later than July 1, 2026, require the governing body of a
school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt to, by July 1,
2026, develop and adopt, and to update every 5 years, a policy to limit or prohibit the use
by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are
under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district,
county office of education, or charter school, as provided. By imposing additional duties
on local educational agencies, the bill would constitute a state-mandated local program.
The over whelming evidence research these two current bills don’t fully address the
prevention as describe with these two bills as it was intended. Below are links to support
and
Substantiating calling for a ban in schools. To Ban cell phones until 14 years old Phone
Ban Produces 'Remarkable' Change at Orange County, Fla., Schools
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In the four months since Orange County Public Schools in Florida banned students from using
cellphones at school, teachers and staff have seen positive changes. Some students are irked
they can't use phones at lunch. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that will
prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state. Those who are
14 or 15 will need a parent’s consent before they join a platform.
The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of
those who are under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child
who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in
damages, according to the bill. Companies found to be in violation of the law would also
be liable for up to $50,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.
https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/phone-ban-produces-remarkable-change-at-orange-
county-fla-schools
AB 3216 with SB 1283 2024 are silent with pornography in schools’ campus as well as
school bus having instances having pornography effects to their wellbeing
https://protectyoungeyes.com/5-ways-pornography-harms-children-teens/ While I was a
junior high youth ministry director, moms contacted me with stories of how their son or
daughter saw pornography on another child’s device while riding the school bus.
One particular story involved a fifth-grade boy who had an iPhone on the bus. Apparently,
it used to be his father’s iPhone, and although the father thought the device was clean,
the fifth-grade child discovered links to pornography and proceeded to show many kids
on the bus this exciting discovery.
https://protectyoungeyes.com/the-case-for-removing-cell-phones-from-the-school-bus/
The CA State AB 3216 with SB 1283 2024 Cell phones language as a far-out date to begin
effective action with growing reports of crimes, bullying, to lawsuits not recognizing the
CA State policy from CA State Superintendent Thurmond uniform complaint procedure is
flat out broken no accountability thus schools use this with tax dollar to block any real
accountable, they who do this requires us to sue them using tax dollars to detoured any
one from challenge them to often time leads to corruptions.
To many children are suffering SCR 73, Pan. Blue Light Awareness Day. This measure
would designate October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Day in California.
WHEREAS, The increased usage of, and access to, digital devices by young children and
adolescents is an acute area of concern, as ophthalmologists, optometrists, and medical
researchers continue to learn more about the short-term effects of increasing and
cumulative exposure to artificial blue light on the developing human eye and mental
health at a young age, along with long-term potential cumulative effects on adult eye
health and mental development; and
5
WHEREAS, The scientific community and recent studies have identified growing
concerns over potential long-term eye and health impacts for all age groups from digital
screen usage and cumulative blue light exposure emitted from digital devices; and
WHEREAS, Blue light has been reported to cause visual discomfort in 65 percent of
Americans; and
WHEREAS, Blue light has been associated with possible harmful effects on retinal cell
physiology linked to the high-energy, short wavelength in the narrow range of 415–455
nanometers; and:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SCR73
causes sleep deprivation, myopia loss of eye sight as well as work comp claims.
This education code provides the opportunity for local Collaborate with your county
office of education with various experience hopefully will review what has been
published to address gaps from algorithm creating dopamine addictions from too long
usages from screen time.
Review health education content standards and instructional materials, if offered,
to determine alignment with mental health education requirements per Ed. Code
51925 (External Link) and other health education requirements
Screen Strong Teens Discussing A Smartphone free Childhood I just feel like our children
now are so addicted now. I used the book “Retrain Your Child's Brain” by Victoria
Dunckley before. I'm here looking for any advice you can offer. Thank you!!
Screen Strong Challenge: 30-Day Screen Detox for Kids & Teens
The Screen Strong Challenge is the first simple step to reset your kids' screen habits. For
one month, you will replace their video games, smartphones, and social media with new
and old hobbies & interests, life skills, and family connections.
ACR-265 California Computer Science Education Month
This was sponsored by Microsoft yet Bill Gates and Steve Jobs with knowing would harm
those who engage excessive usage to create
This measure would designate the month of September 2018 as California Computer
Science Education Month. The measure would encourage schools, teachers, researchers,
universities, business leaders, and policymakers to identify mechanisms for teachers to
receive cutting-edge professional development to provide sustainable learning
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experiences in computer science education and would encourage the exposure of pupils
to computer science concepts. The measure would also encourage opportunities to be
provided for females and underrepresented minorities in computer science..
We know as far back 2012 that to much was causing demised wellness, "President John
F. Kennedy said technology ‘has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a
force for good or ill depends on man.’ Yet swayed by digital-age myths, we are providing
our children with remarkably little guidance on their use of technology.”
. It was Albert Einstein who famously said that once you stop learning, you start dying. It
was Bill Gates who said that he would want the ability to read faster. Quotations by John
F. Kennedy, “Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the
future.
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of
Mental Illness 2024,
Autism and Screen Time: Special Brains, Special Risks
Children with autism are vulnerable to the negative effects of screen time.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-wealth/201612/autism-and-screen-time-
special-brains-special-risks
Was seriously flawed from the start. Research was found from the documents was able
to determine from obtaining not to warranty K-12 schools’ education ACR 265, Berman.
California Computer Science Education Month, to avoid any harming child’s growth
development to prevent cognitive delay, ADD, at this time with over whelming evidence
then and now calls for better accountability to take advocates, published books to grasp
with field work to ensure all schools are with the revising the public record act to mirror
other states having penal codes to enforce transparency.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/24/who-infants-under-year-old-
shouldnt-be-exposed-any-electronic-screens/
Calling for rescinding
This measure would designate the month of September 2018 as California Computer
Science Education Month. The measure would encourage schools, teachers, researchers,
universities, business leaders, and policymakers to identify mechanisms for teachers to
receive cutting-edge professional development to provide sustainable learning
experiences in computer science education, and would encourage the exposure of pupils
to computer science concepts. The measure would also encourage opportunities to be
provided for females and underrepresented minorities in computer science.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180ACR265
WHEREAS, In September, the State Board of Education will be presented with Computer
Science Standards for potential adoption and recommendations for implementation of
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computer science education across the state’s K–12 system developed by the computer
science strategic implementation plan panel;
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180ACR265
Recomeding to resend ACR-265 California Computer Science Education Month designate
the month of September 2018 as California Computer Science Education Month.
To replace one that will have value as well guide our state into wellness from social
media addictions, blue light harm, supporting Hope Squad https://hopesquad.com/ paid
by prop 63 funds AB 638 early, prevention year was 2021-2022 , AB 24, 2017 mandate
requirement to provide activity to improve social skills, don’t bother
protect young eyes, wait until eight. Save the kids
https://www.savethekids.org/resources/ and screenagermovie
https://www.screenagersmovie.com/ and no Esports in schools.
“The Ringgold School District PA In a release, the district said its school police
department PA documented 56 criminal incidents last school year where students used
their cell phones to plan fights, harass other students and vandalize school
property. The district also said that communication between students on phones
included planning "vaping gatherings" in school bathrooms and other criminal mischief.
in a letter to families posted on the Ringgold district website, Superintendent Randall
Skrinjorich said recent national statistics show that about 20% of cyberbullying incidents
happen over cellphones during the day, along with the planning of fights.
Ca State is unprepared to address legislation the mental health month ACR 815 was very
seriously flawed to it body language to compare SB 976 2024. The State Board licensing
standard are flawed to address these critical issues that CA State faces, for last six
years with other the sound of alarm was muted. The county has been awoken to these
tragedies. Many States such as Utah have and move forward to protect children and
families.
The lack of awareness is now paramount will the State leadership move forward such as
Utah State in social media, blue light, pornography, advance the entire licenses for
police, schools, Medical, social workers ect as well as AB 1432 year was 2014-2014 AB-
1432 Mandated child abuse reporting: school employees: training.(2013-
2014) https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB14
32 to our juvenile courts need training to provide parents tools address the social media
addictions to provide a clean records after 18 years old to be employable. Require School
Board be trained about social media with term limits .Adopting Song for Charlie Youth
Fentanyl Awareness Collaboration Forum
.
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We as a state have not recognize the harm social media with Federal and State Child
abuse laws the have direct relationship to current crises CA Welf & Inst Code Section
300
The child is suffering serious emotional damage, or is at substantial risk of suffering
serious emotional damage, evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
untoward aggressive behavior toward self or others, as a result of the conduct of the
parent or guardian or who has no parent or guardian capable of providing appropriate
care. A child shall not be found to be a person described by this subdivision if the willful
failure of the parent or guardian to provide adequate mental health treatment is based on
a sincerely held religious belief and if a less intrusive judicial intervention is available.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=300.&la
wCode=WIC
Federal legislation provides guidance to States by identifying a minimum set of acts or
behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g), as amended by the CAPTA Reauthorization
Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
“Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in
death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation”; or
“An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
This definition of child abuse and neglect refers specifically to parents and other
caregivers. A “child” under this definition generally means a person who is younger than
age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor.
While CAPTA provides definitions for sexual abuse and the special cases of neglect
related to withholding or failing to provide medically indicated treatment, it does not
provide specific definitions for other types of maltreatment such as physical abuse,
neglect, or emotional abuse. While Federal legislation sets minimum standards for States
that accept CAPTA funding, each State provides its own definitions of maltreatment
within civil and criminal statutes.
Did you notice that Federal law states that in order for the state to take your
child/ren…..the harm must have been SERIOUS or the harm coming soon must be
SERIOUS. The minimum harm done or will be done to your child/ren MUST be SERIOUS.
https://www.hhs.gov/answers/programs-for-families-and-children/what-is-child-
abuse/index.html
CA State Welfare 300
(c) The child is suffering serious emotional damage, or is at substantial risk of suffering
serious emotional damage, evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
untoward aggressive behavior toward self or others, as a result of the conduct of the
parent or guardian or who has no parent or guardian capable of providing appropriate
9
care. A child shall not be found to be a person described by this subdivision if the willful
failure of the parent or guardian to provide adequate mental health treatme
not is based on a sincerely held religious belief and if a less intrusive judicial
intervention is available.
https://california.public.law/codes/ca_welf_and_inst_code_section_300
“The Ringgold School District was not exempt from these kinds of occurrences last
year,” Skrinjorich wrote.
The Ringgold Police Department documented 56 criminal incidents during the 2021-22
school year in which students used cellphone communication with fellow students to
plan fights, harass other students, coordinate vaping “gatherings” in school bathrooms,
vandalize property and commit other criminal mischief.
According to the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, a survey conducted every two years
by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, 23% of students said they’d
been bullied in the past 12 months, with about 15% saying the bullying occurred online.
Also, 20% said they received inappropriate sexual messages on phones and electronic
devices.
Skrinjorich did not return a phone call seeking additional information about the new
cellphone policy on Thursday.
In May, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, introduced legislation that would
prohibit students using cellphones in schools.
He said studies in the U.S., Spain, and Norway have shown a positive impact on
academic achievement when cellphones are prohibited during the school day.
Cohen-Sandler said phones don’t have any place in elementary schools and that it is
“highly unlikely” that they serve a useful function in middle school classrooms. She also
said that students who text too frequently with their parents aren’t developing the ability
to deal with their own feelings, “undermining a lot of development that is taking place
and impeding kids from being resilient.”
Above PDF goes into research how crimes occur on campus, bullying, demises
academics, pornography, “My Child Saw Pornography on the School Bus”
https://protectyoungeyes.com/the-case-for-removing-cell-phones-from-the-school-bus/ Cox
and other proponents of such measures cite research showing that even the presence of
a cellphone is a distraction, and they argue that removing them from classrooms will
boost academic performance, reduce bullying and improve students’ mental health.
There is growing concern for children and teens using social media. Social media can be
incredibly harmful for youth. Kids need less screen time for healthy growth and
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development. We can work together to establish social media boundaries, model healthy
social media use, and teach children how to use it safely. https://socialharms.utah.gov/
It can be scary and intimidating raising kids in a world filled with technology—predators,
inappropriate content, bullying, and a distorted reality are just some of the concerns you
might have. But you’re not alone! We asked Utah parents what they thought about social
media, its effects on their children, and what they’re doing to help protect their kids.
88% believe social media has a detrimental impact on children and youth.
63% were concerned about social media impacting their child’s mental health.
60% were concerned about social media impacting their child’s body image.
94% enforce boundaries with their children’s social media usage, like enforcing time
limits, content restrictions, and setting age limits.
84% encourage their children to unplug from social media and participate in other
activities
https://socialharms.utah.gov/
Phone Ban Produces 'Remarkable' Change at Orange County, Fla., Schools
In the four months since Orange County Public Schools in Florida banned students from using
cellphones at school, teachers and staff have seen positive changes. Some students are irked
they can't use phones at lunch. https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/phone-ban-produces-
remarkable-change-at-orange-county-fla-schools
A new Florida law required districts to ban phones during “instructional time,” but Orange’s
school board took it a step further by requiring them to be put away in backpacks, even during
breaks between classes and lunch.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Senate
Appropriations Committee passed a bill banning cellphone use for students at school.
https://okcfox.com/news/local/the-right-thing-to-do-oklahoma-senate-committee-
advances-student-cellphone-ban-adam-pugh-bill-1314-state-chad-caldwell-rep-enid-city-
carrie-hicks-house-sb-appropriations-emergency-danger-teacher-education-politics-
school-telephone-text-call-social-media
Some Lawmakers Consider Banning Cellphones If Schools Won't
More than three-quarters of U.S. K-12 public schools prohibit non-academic cellphone
use, according to a report from the 2021-2022 school year.
As many schools have already banned cellphone use during class, governors and
legislators in at least half a dozen states are pushing their schools to follow suit —
through persuasion or by law.
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(TNS) — At David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, the rule is that students
must keep their cellphones out of sight during class. In reality, the teachers tasked with
enforcing the rule are no match for teenagers’ “almost compulsive” need to be on their
phones all the time, said science teacher Noelle Gilzow.
Gilzow confiscates offenders’ devices and drops them in a basket on her desk she calls
the “phone jail.” But she knows that she is fighting a losing battle.
“I cannot compete with Netflix,” she said.
More than three-quarters of U.S. K-12 public schools prohibit non-academic cellphone
use, according to a report from the 2021-2022 school year. But only 43 percent of public
high schools have such a rule. And at many of them, like at Hickman High, the so-called
bans are enforced weakly, if at all.
Last year, Florida became the first state to require all its public schools to bar students
from using their phones during class. Now governors and legislators in at least a half-
dozen other states are pushing their schools to follow suit — through persuasion or by
law.
Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb just signed into law a bill that requires school
districts to prohibit cellphone use during instructional time, with some exceptions. A
similar bill is advancing in Oklahoma, and legislation has been introduced in Kansas and
Vermont.
Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont has praised schools in his state that have
restricted cellphone use, and he has introduced legislation that would direct the state
board of education to adopt a model policy.
“Social media is often anti-social, and too much smartphone makes you stupid,” Lamont
said in his State of the State address this year.
In Utah, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox in January sent a letter to school leaders
throughout the state urging them to get cellphones out of class.
“Placing cellphones in backpacks or lockers during class time allows students to give
their undivided attention to lessons, to fully participate in discussions and to build
relationships with their peers,” Cox wrote in an opinion piece published in the Deseret
News. “Our students deserve every advantage and removing cellphones from learning
time is one proven way we can help our children succeed.”
Cox and other proponents of such measures cite research showing that even the
presence of a cellphone is a distraction, and they argue that removing them from
classrooms will boost academic performance, reduce bullying and improve students’
mental health.
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Not surprisingly, many students are loath to give up their phones. But much of the
pushback against phone-free classrooms comes from parents, who want to be connected
to their children throughout the day, especially if there is an emergency.
“I like that it’s with her all the time. I want to keep my eyes on her 24/7. I want to know
where she is at all times,” said Elisabeth Rice of Portland, Oregon, who has a 14-year-old
daughter. “If she leaves the school, she won’t leave her phone behind, right?”
Oregon leaves it up to school districts to determine cellphone policies. The high school
Rice’s daughter attends has a “silent and away” rule for phones in class, but the device
does not have to be stowed in a cubby or signal-proof pouch, which other schools
require.
“We’ve all seen how schools handle emergencies,” Rice said. “I would like to have a
direct communication with my kid and see what the safest option is.”
ELIMINATING DISTRACTIONS
To Indiana Republican state Sen. Jeff Raatz, one of the lead sponsors of the proposed
ban in his state, the argument for taking phones out of the classroom boils down to one
word: distraction.
He was speaking about civics at a Henry County high school last fall, he recalled in an
interview, when he noticed the students were unusually attentive. It took him awhile to
realize why.
“It was weeks before it dawned on me that there wasn’t a single cellphone. I was
thinking, ‘How come nobody’s looking at their phone?’”
Without phones, he said, “instead of texting your friend, you are paying attention. We are
struggling as a nation in attaining educational outcomes. One way \[to help\] is to
eliminate distraction.”
Oklahoma Republican state Sen. Adam Pugh came to the same conclusion after talking
to a few classrooms recently at an Oklahoma City suburban high school. “In every single
class,” he recalled, “half the kids were on their phones the whole time. I can’t imagine
ever having a guest lecturer when I was in school and not being focused.”
His bill would require local public school districts to develop policies banning students’
phones from campuses. It awaits a vote on the Senate floor.
A 2019 survey of college students in 37 states (plus Alberta, Canada) supports the
assertion that digital devices distract students: On average, respondents spent 19.4
percent of class time using digital devices for non-class purposes.
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Barney McCoy, a journalism and mass communications professor at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln and the author of the study, said it’s not surprising that students sitting
in class have a hard time resisting their devices, since they are so accustomed to
checking them constantly when they are outside the classroom.
“If we are standing in line at the grocery store, we are going to pull out a smartphone,”
McCoy said. “If you are in the middle of a conversation and a device beeps, boops or
rings, you are going to look at it.”
Some research suggests that banning cellphones from class can have a significant
impact. A Norwegian study published earlier this year examined the effect of cellphone
bans on middle school students, concluding that girls’ grades and mental health
improved significantly and that bullying declined among both girls and boys. The effects
were greatest among lower-income girls.
TOO BROAD?
“If you look at social media, if you look at what the kids are doing, a lot of the bullying
we see is because of video taken on cellphones,” said Kansas Republican state Rep.
Adam Thomas, chair of the House Committee on Education and the father of five
children.
But after Thomas’ committee held a hearing on the bill, he decided that districts, not the
state, should decide what cellphone policy would work best for them.
Indiana state Rep. Ryan Dvorak, one of the eight House members who opposed the ban in
his state, reached a similar conclusion.
“There is not a school in the state of Indiana that doesn’t have their own policy on
cellphone use already,” said Dvorak, a Democrat and the father of three school-age
children. “Teachers deal with them every day. Every classroom has a different way their
teacher likes to deal with it. I don’t like when the legislature gets involved in classroom
minutia.
“Everybody understands kids have problems with being sucked into devices. But creating
some absolute law that says this can never happen is counterproductive.”
Roni Cohen-Sandler, a clinical psychologist and the author of “ Anything But My Phone,
Mom!,” a book for parents on dealing with electronic devices, agreed that statewide bans
for students of all ages don’t make sense.
“Technology is part of our kids’ lives,” she said in an interview. “It’s important to help
them evaluate when technology is appropriate and when it’s not.”
14
Cohen-Sandler said phones don’t have any place in elementary schools and that it is
“highly unlikely” that they serve a useful function in middle school classrooms. She also
said that students who text too frequently with their parents aren’t developing the ability
to deal with their own feelings, “undermining a lot of development that is taking place
and impeding kids from being resilient.”
High school students, however, should be mature enough to use phones appropriately,
“in the service of learning,” Cohen-Sandler said.
“You can’t infantilize 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds. I hope they have the judgment to use
cellphones more responsibly.”
McCoy, the Nebraska professor, said teachers should take responsibility for engaging
students. “We have to be more innovative as instructors,” he said. “I can’t tell you how
many times I’ve called on a student who is engaged on their device and they will look up
and say, ‘Can you repeat the question?’ That’s a challenge to myself as an instructor.”
But many parents of high school students, perhaps remembering the cellphone-free days
of their youth, don’t think phones have any place in the classroom.
“Kids don’t need phones in school — period,” said Vince Moody of Huntsville, Alabama,
who has four children, including a ninth grader. Moody said that if he had to get in touch
with one of them, he’d simply call the school office and leave a message.
“I don’t know that there are a lot of benefits to having phones in schools, other than that
parents can reach their little snowflake in school,” he said.
Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization focused on
state policy.
What the evidence really says about social media’s impact on teen
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bill that bans children under 14
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that will prohibit children younger than
14 from joining social media in the state. Those who are 14 or 15 will need a parent’s
consent before they join a platform.
The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of
those who are under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child
who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in
damages, according to the bill. Companies found to be in violation of the law would also
be liable for up to $50,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.
15
“Ultimately, \[we’re\] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have
now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that’s been put in,” DeSantis said in
remarks during the bill-signing ceremony.
I Changed My Mind About Kids and Phones. I Hope Everyone Else Doe
Investors Pressure Apple Over Psychological Risks Of Screen Time
Decreases in psychological well-being among American adolescents
Twenge, J. M., Martin, G. N., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Decreases in psychological well-
being among American adolescents after 2012 and links to screen time during the rise of
smartphone technology. Emotion, 18(6), 765–780.
Teens who spend less time in front of screens are happier — up to
Teen girls confront an epidemic of deepfake nudes in schools
This Pa. school district is banning cell phones in the hopes of r
State lawmakers introduce bill to limit cellphone use in schools
Kids are using phones in class, even when it’s against the rules.
Washington, Ringgold districts ban cellphone use during school da
16
Your cellphone may be causing nearsightedness, now at epidemic le
Utah’s New Law Restricting Social Media Use for Minors Isn’t Clea
The Use of “Attention Capture” Technologies in Our Classrooms Has
Screen Strong Teens Discussing A Smartphone free Childhood.
A California high school found students' cellphones too distracti
The Protect Young Eyes team teaches kids how to use technology
Investors Pressure Apple Over Psychological Risks Of Screen Time
Decreases in psychological well-being among American adolescents.
Psychological well-being was lower in years when adolescents spent more time on
screens and higher in years when they spent more time on nonscreen activities, with
changes in activities generally preceding declines in well-being. Cyclical economic
indicators such as unemployment were not significantly correlated with well-being,
suggesting that the Great Recession was not the cause of the decrease in psychological
well-being, which may instead be at least partially due to the rapid adoption of
smartphones and the subsequent shift in adolescents’ time use.
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to d
17
CA Welf & Inst Code Section 300
The child is suffering serious emotional damage, or is at substantial risk of suffering
serious emotional damage, evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
untoward aggressive behavior toward self or others, as a result of the conduct of the
parent or guardian or who has no parent or guardian capable of providing appropriate
care. A child shall not be found to be a person described by this subdivision if the willful
failure of the parent or guardian to provide adequate mental health treatment is based on
a sincerely held religious belief and if a less intrusive judicial intervention is available.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=300.&la
wCode=WIC
Federal legislation provides guidance to States by identifying a minimum set of acts or
behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g), as amended by the CAPTA Reauthorization
Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
“Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in
death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation”; or
“An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
This definition of child abuse and neglect refers specifically to parents and other
caregivers. A “child” under this definition generally means a person who is younger than
age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor.
While CAPTA provides definitions for sexual abuse and the special cases of neglect
related to withholding or failing to provide medically indicated treatment, it does not
provide specific definitions for other types of maltreatment such as physical abuse,
neglect, or emotional abuse. While Federal legislation sets minimum standards for States
that accept CAPTA funding, each State provides its own definitions of maltreatment
within civil and criminal statutes.
Did you notice that Federal law states that in order for the state to take your
child/ren…..the harm must have been SERIOUS or the harm coming soon must be
SERIOUS. The minimum harm done, or will be done to your child/ren MUST be SERIOUS.
https://www.hhs.gov/answers/programs-for-families-and-children/what-is-child-
abuse/index.html
(c)
The child is suffering serious emotional damage or is at substantial risk of suffering
serious emotional damage, evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
untoward aggressive behavior toward self or others, as a result of the conduct of the
parent or guardian or who has no parent or guardian capable of providing appropriate
18
care. A child shall not be found to be a person described by this subdivision if the willful
failure of the parent or guardian to provide adequate mental health treatment is based on
a sincerely held religious belief and if a less intrusive judicial intervention is available.
The Case for Removing Cell Phones from the School Bus Another Field Trip with a School
Bus Full of Smartphones, I remember my seventh grade daughter boarding the school bus
for a field trip with her classmates to an amusement park. As they departed, I wondered
how many kids had smartphones, and of those, how many had any filters or controls on
them. Of course, my mind started spinning.
“My Child Saw Pornography on the School Bus”
The Protect Young Eyes team is concerned about the lack of policies that exist related
to smartphone use on school buses. Isn’t a school’s transportation system an extension
of the classroom? Shouldn’t parents have reasonable assurance that their child won’t
see pornography or be exposed to life-altering content on the way home? We believe the
answer to both questions is, “Yes!” While I was a junior high youth ministry director,
moms contacted me with stories of how their son or daughter saw pornography on
another child’s device while riding the school bus.
One particular story involved a fifth-grade boy who had an iPhone on the bus. Apparently,
it used to be his father’s iPhone, and although the father thought the device was clean,
the fifth-grade child discovered links to pornography and proceeded to show many kids
on the bus this exciting discovery.
One of the students exposed to the pornography was a young man who lived in my
neighborhood. We are family friends, and when his mother found this out (they had a
great, open relationship, so this fifth-grade boy felt comfortable telling him mom, which
is so critical), she called me just devastated.
Related post: The Five Worst Places for Kids to be Online
Nude photo scandal rocks another Southern California school
Calabasas teen says classmate not disciplined for sharing real an
The teen victim told Eyewitness News that naked photos of her started circulating at the
school last August. She accuses her former friend of being behind the act.
19
The victim said the female student secretly filmed her while in the shower. In other
cases, the victim alleges the student used artificial intelligence to put her face on other
people's bodies - some of the images ended up on a pornographic website.
"I never thought that if I left the door cracked a little open because my shower gets too
steamy that pictures of me would end up all over my school. It was terrifying," the teen
victim said.
The family of the teen who was targeted is outraged that no one has been disciplined
and that the accused student is still enrolled at Calabasas High.
"It was very hard. She's dealt with a lot of mental health issues," said Jacqueline Smith,
the victim's mother. "She's dealt with a lot of emotional distress, humiliation."
The victim said she has not gotten any answers from the school and believes her
classmate should be expelled.
Generation Insomniacs: 80 PERCENT of US teens aren't getting enou
https://socialemotionalpaws.com/blog-post-1/f/generation-insomniacs-80-percent-of-us-
teens-arent-getting-enou
AI Made Porn Of Westfield HS Students Prompts Investigation
Shocking moment Tennessee high school student pepper sprays teacher TWICE after he
confiscated her phone in class
The female student can be seen spraying the male teacher in the face before he falls to
his knees in the hallway
She then says 'give me my phone' before trying to take it from his hand after the assault
at Antioch High School outside of Nashville
Reports indicate the teacher had taken the student's phone because she was 'texting
and Googling answers for her school work
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12060643/Tennessee-high-school-student-
pepper-sprays-teacher-confiscated-phone.html?ito=email_share_article-image-share
New York City mayor declares social media an 'environmental toxin'
https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-declares-
social/story?id=106647634
Press Release CA State Flawed with Mental Health with Screentime
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THE lack of awareness Sorley needed the State of Utah has a social media awareness
campaign. Recent academic research and a report from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek
Murthy have tied social media use to declines in mental health for teens, and Cox said
there is a “causal link” between the two.
On the issue of kids, smartphones, and social media, a vibe shift is happening, and it’s
happening on the left, right, and in the center. Here’s a survey of recent anti-phone
discourse on the topic in politics and culture in recent weeks and months: The TikTok
“ban” (don’t call it that) garnered bipartisan support in the House, and Gov. Ron DeSantis
signed a bill making it illegal for people under 14 to have social media accounts in
Florida.
51925 (External Link) and other health education requirements Collaborate with your
county office of education, community-based and non-profit
organizations, and local health department to provide professional learning for health
teachers and other educators teaching mental health education to build;
This education code provides the opportunity for local Collaborate with your county
office of education with various experience hopefully will review what has been
published to address gaps from algorithm creating dopamine addictions from to long
usages from screen time.
Review health education content standards and instructional materials, if offered,
to determine alignment with mental health education requirements per Ed. Code
51925 (External Link) and other health education requirements (External Link).
o Collaborate with your county office of education, community-based and non-profit
organizations, and local health department to provide professional learning for
health teachers and other educators teaching mental health education to build;
their capacity for providing skill-based mental health education that is trauma informed
and affirming for students.
o Evaluate your current efforts and create a plan to expand student access to
mental health education in coordination with other frameworks and initiatives,
including Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) (External Link)
21
SCR 73, Pan. Blue Light Awareness Day.
This measure would designate October 10 of each year as Blue Light Awareness Day in
California.
WHEREAS, Cumulative blue light exposure from digital devices has been shown to
disrupt sleep cycles by suppressing the natural release of melatonin and has also been
linked to premature aging of the retina, which could accelerate potential long-term vision
problems such as age-related macular degeneration, decreased alertness, and memory
and emotional regulation impacts
Bill Text: CA SCR73 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered | LegiScan
ACR-29 Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.(2023-2024)
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#sent/FMfcgzGxSlMBwgspBvQjmmrZqwFwRlzh?projector
=1&messagePartId=0.1
Anaheim PD investigating after photo of student in locker room circulates online
An Instagram account run by a student or students at a junior high school in Anaheim is
exposing pictures of students changing in their locker-rooms. Christian Cazares reports
for NBC4 News on Oct. 24, 2023.
The Anaheim Unified High School District said it’s reinforcing its cellphone ban policy in
the locker room as it continues working with police on the matter. In a statement, the
district said: “Our School Resource Officer promptly notified Ball's Administrative Team.
We collaborated with law enforcement to report the posts to Instagram, resulting in one
of the post’s swift removal. Throughout the day, we have continued to monitor the site in
question and report posts as inappropriate.”
Anaheim PD investigating after photo of student in locker room circulates online
The Anaheim Unified High School District said it’s reinforcing its cellphone ban policy in
the locker room as it continues working with police on the matter. In a statement, the
district said: “Our School Resource Officer promptly notified Ball's Administrative Team.
We collaborated with law enforcement to report the posts to Instagram, resulting in one
of the post’s swift removal. Throughout the day, we have continued to monitor the site in
question and report posts as inappropriate.”
Police added that the matter falls under invasion of privacy and while the post has been
removed, the social media account is still up and set to private.
“I wish it didn’t happen, but schools are hard to regulate and it’s something they do their
best,” said Jim Furey, a concerned parent. “They have good people working here but
sometimes bullies will be bullies.”
22
Parents say the actions taken so far by police and the school district simply isn’t enough.
They’re hoping to have an open dialogue on the matter and want the school to hold a
meeting to address the issue.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/anaheim-police-photo-of-ball-high-school-
student-in-locker-room-posted-online/3251648/
Inappropriate photos under investigation at Fairfax High School
In March, Beverly Hills Unified School District expelled five middle school students who
used AI to create nude photos of their classmates.
Karen North, a professor at USC’s Annenberg School of Social Media, says that while it
may seem obvious to adults, concerns with specific uses of AI may need to be spelled
out more clearly with children.
"Kids are creative and resourceful and they're now being creative with, you know, with
images and especially sexual images," said North. "Kids need to understand that it's not
all in good fun to have this information, to have these images and to share them with
your friends,"
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/local-2/inappropriate-photos-under-investigation-at-
fairfax-high-school/3384824/
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-09/student-generated-inappropriate-ai-
image-of-girls-at-fairfax-high
(B) Requiring consent of parents or guardians to open a social media account
among those 13 to 17 years of age, inclusive.
(3) Children and adolescents, or individuals collectively referred to as minors, are considered as
vulnerable populations with respect to their experience of mental health and their abilities to
understand and process mediated content, particularly through social media channels.
(4) Research has demonstrated that social media usage among children and adolescents
is associated with poor mental health, including increases in depression and anxiety, and
decreases in body image.
(5) More than 20 states have enacted, or are considering, regulations to social media in
order to protect the mental health of children and adolescents. This is a timely topic of
clear societal interest regarding the health and well-being of the next generation.
(6) Legislation considered across all states has included the following:
(A) Stricter age verifications.
(B) Requiring consent of parents or guardians to open a social media account among
those 13 to 17 years of age, inclusive.
(C) Allowing parents or guardians to set limitations on the hours an adolescent user may
access their account.
(D) Providing parents or guardians with full access to their child’s account and all its
content.
(E) Limiting the obtaining and sharing of adolescent users’ personal information and
accounts by social media companies.
23
(F) Preventing users under 18 years of age from receiving targeted ads.
(G) Banning algorithms and design features which may promote harmful content on
adolescent users’ feeds, including the sale of weapons or drugs, self-harm, and other
content.
(H) Blocking all pornographic content from users under 18 years of age.
(I) Requiring that certain apps be blocked entirely to protect user data from foreign
companies.
(7) Beyond the United States, countries around the world have enacted various social
media regulations to protect the mental health of children and adolescents, including
South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, India, and Brazil.
(8) To date, social media use in the United States, with respect to the enforcement of
age verifications, limitations on the content to which minors are exposed, the ability of
proprietary algorithms to freely recommend content to children and adolescents, and
advertising to vulnerable youth, remains largely unregulated.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that social media content and social media
companies are regulated in such a way to promote the health and well-being of the
vulnerable population of children and adolescents.
(1) Despite the potential benefits to society of online social networks, there is
substantial evidence that tools designed to increase time spent on these networks result
in adverse mental health impacts, especially among elementary and middle school
pupils.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish the Social Media Harm Reduction Pilot
Program to comprehensively examine the adverse mental health impacts associated
with the use of online social networks by kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 pupils,
inclusive, and to intervene as needed to prevent or mitigate those impacts.
(b) The Social Media Harm Reduction Pilot Program is hereby established.
(c) The California Health and Human Services Agency shall designate a nonprofit
organization to undertake the responsibilities of the program.
(d) The program shall do all of the following:
(1) Develop model educational materials and methods to leverage existing peer-to-peer
support programs to inform pupils about the harms of social media, foster the
development of healthy social media habits among pupils, and create a supportive
environment in which they may do so.
(2) Evaluate the impact of those educational materials and methods and the peer-to-peer
support program through the establishment of statewide learning communities.
(3) Recommend statewide standards for the use of online social networks by
kindergarten and grades 1 to 12 pupils, inclusive.
(4) Define best practices for expansion of the program.
(e) The program shall coordinate with existing laws regulating social media platforms,
including, but not limited to, the Cyberbullying Protection Act (Chapter 22.2.9
(commencing with Section 22589) of Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code)
and the Online Violence Prevention Act (Title 1.81.46 (commencing with Section
1798.99.20) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code), to ensure consistency and avoid
duplication of effort.
24
SB 1504, as amended, Stern. Cyberbullying Protection Act.
Existing law, commonly known as the Cyberbullying Protection Act, requires a social
media platform, as defined, to disclose all cyberbullying reporting procedures in the
social media platform’s terms of service and to establish a mechanism within its
internet-based service that allows an individual, whether or not that individual has a
profile on the internet-based service, to report cyberbullying or content that violates the
existing terms of service.
The act defines “cyberbullying” to mean any severe or pervasive conduct made by an
electronic act, as specified, committed by a pupil or group of pupils directed toward one
or more pupils that has, or can reasonably be predicted to have, certain effects,
including placing a reasonable pupil in fear of harm to that pupil’s person or property.
The act makes a social media platform that violates its provisions liable for a civil
penalty of not more than $7,500 for each intentional violation to be assessed and
recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the State of California by
the Attorney General. The act also authorizes a court to order injunctive relief to obtain
compliance with these provisions.
This bill would generally apply the act’s provisions to minors rather than pupils and
would define the phrase “severe or pervasive conduct” to mean content that, among
other things, calls for self-injury or suicide of a minor or a specific person or of a group of
individuals related to a minor. The bill would additionally require the mechanism required
by the act to meet additional criteria, including that the mechanism provides, within 36
hours of receipt of a report, written confirmation to the reporting individual that the
social media platform received that individual’s report. The bill would additionally
authorize any person, including, but not limited to, a parent or legal guardian of a minor,
who submits a report of cyberbullying to the social media platform, a city attorney, a
district attorney, or a county counsel to bring an action to enforce the act. The bill would
increase the civil liability for violating the act to $75,000 and would authorize a court to
award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing plaintiff, as specified.
48901.7. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the The governing body of a school district, a
county office of education, or a charter school shall adopt shall, no later than July 1,
2026, develop and adopt, and shall update every five years, a policy to limit or prohibit
the use by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the
pupils are under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school
district, county office of education, or charter school. The goal of the policy shall be to
promote evidence-based use of smartphone practices to support pupil learning and well-
being.
The development of the policy shall involve significant stakeholder participation in order
to ensure that the policies are responsive to the unique needs and desires of pupils,
parents, and educators in each community.
25
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a pupil shall not be prohibited from possessing or
using a smartphone under any of the following circumstances:
(1) In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger.
(2) When a teacher or administrator of the school district, county office of education, or
charter school grants permission to a pupil to possess or use a smartphone, subject to
any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator.
Claremont Unified School District sued by child for alleged attac
Claremont Unified School District sued by child for alleged attacks by other students
A child is suing the Claremont Unified School District, alleging district and school
officials failed to protect him from unruly fellow intermediate school students who
bullied and attacked him on campus this spring and forced his mother to withdraw him
from the campus for his protection.
The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit was brought on the minor's behalf by his mother
and it alleges assault and battery, dangerous condition of public property, negligent
supervision and negligent hiring, training and retention. The plaintiff seeks unspecified
compensatory and punitive damages.
The boy attended El Roble Intermediate School. The lawsuit states both the school and
district had a duty to protect the plaintiff from bullying by other students while he was on
campus. The district knew the other student had a prior history that included stealing
the plaintiff's shoes, telling him he should die and threatening members of his Little
League team, including the umpire, the suit states.
A CUSD spokeswoman issued a statement regarding the complaint filed Sept. 11, stating
that the district is aware of the suit.
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/claremont-unified-school-district-sued-by-
child-for-alleged-attacks-by-other-
students/#:~:text=A%20child%20is%20suing%20the%20Claremont%20Unified%20School,
withdraw%20him%20from%20the%20campus%20for%20his%20protection.
$27 million settlement reached in lawsuit over bullying death of 13-year-old Moreno
Valley student.
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A $27 million settlement was announced Wednesday in
a lawsuit stemming from the 2019 death of 13-year-old Diego Stolz, who was fatally
beaten by two fellow students at Landmark Middle School in Moreno Valley.
The wrongful-death settlement against the Moreno Valley Unified School District was
obtained on behalf of Stolz's legal guardians, Juana Salcedo and Felipe Salcedo, the
family's attorneys said in a news release.
"The family will forever be heartbroken by the death of Diego but they hope this case
brings about change in school districts across the country," said lead counsel Dave Ring
said in a statement. "Schools need to realize that bullying can never be tolerated and
that any complaints of bullying and assault must be taken seriously. Diego's death was
preventable if this school had simply prioritized an anti-bullying policy."
26
On Sept. 16, 2019, two 14-year-old boys were videotaped attacking Stolz outside
classrooms at the school. One boy struck the teenager in the head from behind and he
fell, hitting his head against a pillar. The boys then continued punching the boy, who died
nine days later from a brain injury. https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/claremont-
unified-school-district-sued-by-child-for-alleged-attacks-by-other-
students/#:~:text=A%20child%20is%20suing%20the%20Claremont%20Unified%20School,
withdraw%20him%20from%20the%20campus%20for%20his%20protection.
Family of a student killed in a bullying incident in Moreno Valle
Diego and family members had complained about bullying for at least a year, including
when Diego‘s shoes were stolen when he was in seventh grade. According to the lawsuit,
his aunt was provided with an anti-bullying pamphlet by school officials.
He had been punched in the chest and threatened with more violence the week before
his death even though he met with middle school vice principal Kamilah O’Connor on
Sept. 13, 2019, according to the lawsuit.
O’Connor reassured the boy and promised to suspend the students for three days starting
on Monday, and told him to take off the rest of the day.
Diego returned to campus that Monday and found his tormentors waiting for him.
They confronted him at lunchtime on what would be his final moments of consciousness.
Marlatt, who was representing the school district, acknowledged that one of the boys
who was “involved in the fatal altercation” with Diego had struck the boy a week earlier
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-09-13/family-of-a-student-killed-in-a-
bullying-incident-in-moreno-valley-reaches-27-million-settlement
Eighth-grader’s family complained of bullying days before fatal assault, legal claim states
Oct. 29, 2019
Ring noted that an early hurdle regarding the lawsuit was whether Diego’s guardians
were eligible to file a California wrongful death lawsuit.
Juana Salcedo and Felipe Salcedo had raised Diego for most of his life after the death of
both his parents. They has also raised Diego’s two brothers and their two biological
children. But the law at the time did not allow wrongful death lawsuits to be filed by legal
guardians.
“When we filed the lawsuit in 2019, the first in line would be the parents and then
siblings, which he had two older brothers at the time,” Ring said. “We thought it was
unfair that the people who raised him and acted like his parents weren’t in
consideration.”
A year later, Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) authored Assembly Bill
2445, which removed the requirement that “only biological or adoptive parents” could
bring a lawsuit on behalf of a minor who died due to wrongful conduct, according to
Reyes.
She said in 2020 that the legislation was necessary to provide “a pathway to justice for
Diego’s family.”
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-29/diego-stolz-landmark-middle-school-
bullying-legal-claim
27
Redlands Unified is 9th on this list of high-risk schools, analys
Redlands Unified is 9th on this list of high-risk schools, analysis shows
In less than two years, the school district’s insurance costs have doubled.
In the past two years, as Redlands Unified School District has settled sex abuse lawsuits
out of court for tens of millions, the insurer that covered those payouts has doubled the
district’s rates.
Earlier this month, the district announced it had reached a settlement with the family of
the alleged victims of former Redlands High School drama teacher Joel Koonce for $8.5
million. With that agreement, the district has approved more than $30.2 million in legal
settlements with victims or alleged victims of sex abuse since August 2016.
If spending more than $30.2 million in 28 months on sex abuse settlements makes the
Redlands Unified School District seem like a heightened risk, its insurance
carrier agrees.
Redlands Unified is the ninth highest risk out of 33 Southern California districts in the
Schools Association For Excess Risk’s (or SAFER) Southern California Regional Liability
Excess Fund, based on an analysis of documents obtained from SAFER through the
California Public Records Act.
“Member district liability contributions are based on average daily attendance and are
modified for their historical loss experience,” Doug Ross, an administrator with SAFER,
wrote in an email.
???????Redlands Unified was scheduled to pay $1.55 million to SAFER during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2019, according to the documents released by the insurance group.
According to the California Department of Education, the district taught 21,261 students
in the 2017-18 school year, meaning SAFER is charging the equivalent of $73 per student.
The average SCR member district pays $64 per student.
https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2018/12/14/redlands-unified-is-9th-on-this-list-of-high-
risk-schools-analysis-shows/
Teens charged with manslaughter in sucker-punch attack ...
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com › california › story › boys-cha...
Oct 2, 2019 — Teens charged with manslaughter in sucker-punch attack that killed
Moreno Valley student · Child's death after assault at Moreno Valley school ..
teens charged with manslaughter in sucker-punch attack .
https://www.google.com/search?q=Teens+charged+with+manslaughter+in+sucker-
punch+attack+that+killed+Moreno+Valley+student&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1031US1031&oq
=Teens+charged+with+manslaughter+in+sucker-
punch+attack+that+killed+Moreno+Valley+student&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOd
IBBzkwMGowajeoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1
Ring and fellow attorney Neil Gehlawat said they hoped the settlement would force
changes in anti-bullying policy from the Moreno Valley School District and others.
28
“This lawsuit has put schools on notice to find ways to effectively deal with bullying and
to enact real anti-bullying policies,” Gehlawat said in a statement. “Although his family’s
grief can never be taken away, we believe real change will come, and there will be a
renewed focus on anti-bullying programs across the nation.”
Eighth-grader’s family complained of bullying days before fatal assault, legal claim
states.
Oct. 29, 2019
Ring noted that an early hurdle regarding the lawsuit was whether Diego’s guardians
were eligible to file a California wrongful death lawsuit.
Juana Salcedo and Felipe Salcedo had raised Diego for most of his life after the death of
both his parents. They has also raised Diego’s two brothers and their two biological
children. But the law at the time did not allow wrongful death lawsuits to be filed by legal
guardians.
“When we filed the lawsuit in 2019, the first in line would be the parents and then
siblings, which he had two older brothers at the time,” Ring said. “We thought it was
unfair that the people who raised him and acted like his parents weren’t in
consideration.”
A year later, Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) authored Assembly Bill
2445, which removed the requirement that “only biological or adoptive parents” could
bring a lawsuit on behalf of a minor who died due to wrongful conduct, according to
Reyes.
She said in 2020 that the legislation was necessary to provide “a pathway to justice for
Diego’s family.”
29
AB-2445 Civil actions: wrongful death.(2019-2020)
Existing law specifies the persons who may bring a civil action for the death of a person
caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another, and includes among those persons the
decedent’s parents if they were entitled to the decedent’s property by intestate
secession or if they were dependent on the decedent.
This bill would also authorize a decedent’s legal guardians to bring a civil action if the
decedent’s parents were authorized to bring a civil action but they are deceased, or if
the legal guardians were dependent on the decedent and the decedent’s parents are
deceased.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2445
World health officials take a hard-line on-screen time for kids. Will busy parents comply?
The World Health Organization issued new guidelines on screen time Wednesday for
infants and children under 5.
30
The World Health Organization issued strict new guidelines Wednesday on one of the
most anxiety-producing issues of 21st century family life: How much should parents
resort to videos and online games to entertain, educate or simply distract their young
children?
The answer, according to WHO, is never for children in their first year of life and rarely in
their second. Those aged 2 to 4, the international health agency said, should spend no
more than an hour a day in front of a screen.
The WHO drew on emerging — but as yet unsettled — science about the risk’s screens
pose to the development of young minds at a time when surveys show children are
spending increasing amounts of time watching smartphones and other mobile devices.
Ninety-five percent of families with children under the age of 8 have smartphones,
according to the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media, and 42 percent of children
under 8 have access to their own tablet device.
Experts in child development say the acquisition of language and social skills, typically
by interacting with parents and others, are among the most important cognitive tasks of
childhood.
“Achieving health for all means doing what is best for health right from the beginning of
people’s lives,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
“Early childhood is a period of rapid development and a time when family lifestyle
patterns can be adapted to boost health gains.”
The guidelines, like those of other public health groups that have weighed such issues in
recent years, also seek to provide clear rules for the messy realities of parenting, when a
fussy baby may be soothed most easily by a video of a nursery rhyme, or a grandmother
three states away may be able to engage with a toddler only over Skype.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/04/24/who-infants-under-year-old-
shouldnt-be-exposed-any-electronic-screens/
Brien McMahon hangs up: No more cell phones in class
https://www.thehour.com/news/article/Brien-McMahon-hangs-up-No-more-cell-phones-in-
13197550.php
Family of New Jersey bullying victim 11, sue school for failing t
‘They failed Adriana:' Family of NJ teen who died by suicide after viral school fight video
sues
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/bullying-lawsuit-adriana-kuch-central-regional-
high-school/5084853/
6th grade girl brutally attacked by classmate at Southern Califor
31
No AI until 18 years old.
What’s a Yondr pouch? Learn about the technology that locks away
Fentanyl Awareness for Children and Teens in Schools (FACTS) Act.
Grassroots campaign to help protect kids from porn on social medi
SALT LAKE CITY — A grassroots campaign is going after social media giants Instagram
and Snapchat, saying it’s time to police their rating system of 12+, because teens have
too easy access to porn.
The campaign will be rolled out on Thursday by the National Center on Sexual
Exploitation in Washington D.C., but many behind the movement are right here in Utah.
"These app ratings are messed up and you can’t go by the app ratings," said Collin
Kartchner who is a very popular social media activist speaking to thousands of teens
across the state and country. "You can stream porn in two clicks and these apps are
rated at 12+. This is like you sending your kid to a PG-13 movie saying, 'Oh, they'll be
fine.' And 2 seconds into it they are watching pornography. Parents, if that happened in
the movie system we would be outraged, but it’s happening on their phones all day.
A growing number of states call porn a public health crisis.
Phoenix • More than a dozen states have moved to declare pornography a public health
crisis, raising concerns among some experts who say the label goes too far and carries
its own risks.
The Arizona Senate approved a resolution this week calling for a systemic effort to
prevent exposure to porn that's increasingly accessible to younger kids online. At least
one legislative chamber has adopted a similar resolution in 15 other states.
"It is an epidemic in our society, and this makes a statement that we have a problem,"
said Arizona Sen. Sylvia Allen, a Republican who blamed pornography for contributing to
violence against women, sexual activity among teens and unintended pregnancies.
32
The resolution that passed Monday doesn't ban pornography or create any other legal
changes, but it could signal future action. Similar declarations have been passed in GOP-
controlled states ranging from Tennessee to Montana and been adopted in the
Republican Party's national platform.
Utah lawmakers look at phone bans in schools and youth social med
https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utah-lawmakers-look-at-phone-bans-in-
schools-and-youth-social-media-restrictions
Palmdale parent concerned about pornography at school.
https://theavtimes.com/2015/09/23/palmdale-parent-concerned-about-pornographic-
material-in-school/
Parents upset by ‘pornographic’ book assigned to 14-year-old students at Texas school
https://www.cbs42.com/news/national/pornographic-book-assigned-to-14-year-olds-at-
texas-high-school-upsets-parents/
When Kids Are Home From School, Pornography Searches Increase 4700
https://www.netnanny.com/blog/pornography-searches-increase-4700-when-kids-are-out-
of-school/
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com › opinion › story › digital-boo...
May 10, 2021 — ... about 500 words, readers generally perform better on comprehension
tests with print passages. The superiority of print especially shines through ...
As the pandemic drove a sudden, massive and necessary shift to online education last
year, students were forced to access much of their school reading assignments digitally.
Turning so heavily to screens for school reading was a temporary fix — and should
remain that way.
A wealth of research comparing print and digital reading points to the same conclusion
— print matters. For most students, print is the most effective way to learn and to retain
that knowledge long-term.
When measuring reading comprehension, researchers typically ask people to read
passages and then answer questions or write short essays. Regardless of the age of the
students, reliably similar patterns occur. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-05-
10/digital-books-reading-learning-pandemic
Durbin in Senate Judic Hearing re Big Tech's Failure to Protect Kids from Sexual
Exploitation Online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsPGAO3LnGM
33
The Kids Online Safety Act is designed to ensure children aren’t presented harmful
content when they are on social media. But some advocacy groups are concerned about
censorship. We explore the different sides of this bill. And a local mother shares how a
social media challenge forever changed her family and explains how the Kids Online
Safety Act may have helped her daughter. https://www.pbs.org/video/exploring-potential-
impacts-of-the-kids-online-safety-act-rqk1ed/
OPINION SECTION. Monday, June 3, 2019
TODAY OC REGISTER STORY 06-23-19 UNDER FUNDING K-12 EDUCATION. THE REAL QUESTION
SHOULD BE IS HOW MUCH DO WE SPEND ON STUDENTS’ EDUCATION ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WILL
BE STILL SEVERELY IMPACTED FROM TO MUCH SCREEN TIME CAUSING ISSUES OF
CHARACTER,DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY CREATING MORE IEP STUDENTS THUS INCREASING
STATES BUDGET, SCHOOL VIOLENCE,BULLYING, INCREASES SUICIDES,THIS WILL HAVE
ADVERSELY EFFECT ON EDUCATION. SOCIAL MEDIA SCREEN TIME SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN
TWO HOURS PER DAY,THOSE UNDER TWO NONE OVER TWO ONE HOUR PLEASE SHE MY
WEBSITE
HERE IS A QUOTE FROM GGUSD “The district is grateful to the State Treasurer’s Office for
providing this creative funding avenue that is enriching classroom experiences across
California,” said Teri Rocco, board of education vice president. “We know that when you
put technology in the hands of our students, it takes learning to a higher level and
inspires deeper understanding than a (False statement)text book can provide. ”Patton
Elementary School Wins $25,000 for New Technology.
THE STATE OF UTAH WHICH OUR FAMILY OWNS A RANCH WHERE SCHOOLS STUDENTS ARE
ENCOURAGE TO READ A LOT OF BOOKS. IN ONE TV NEWS STORY STUDENTS READ TO A DOG
THAN TO THEM SELF, TEST SCORES IN READING ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE WITH. NO
REAL EXPLANATION AS TO WHY.
BOOKS READING IS VITAL TO ONES EDUCATION,TECHNOLOGY IS A BIG LIBRARY ON THE GO
BUT IT DOESN'T REPLACE OUR COUNTIES LIBRARY SYSTEMS STUDENTS NEED THE EDUCATION
HOW TO USE LIBRARY'S, READING BOOKS AS A TOOL OF KNOWLEDGE VS OVER CONSUMPTION
USING SOCIAL MEDIA SCREEN TIME PER DAY NO MORE TWO HOURS CAUSING INCREASE
MENTAL ILLNESS SUICIDES THUS.GGUSD QUOTE " it takes learning to a higher level and inspires
deeper understanding than a text book can provide."TODAY
OCREGISTER-CA.NEWSMEMORY.COM
Patton Elementary School
Wins $25,000
for New Technology.
Monday, June 3, 2019
34
Edit Image
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma visited Patton Elementary School last week to
present the school with a $25,000 check for new technology. After the check
presentation, Treasurer Ma joined with the school’s staff and approximately 950 students
to duck tape Patton Principal Jennifer Carter and Assistant Principal Julie Kawai to the
wall.
Patton Elementary School was one of only three schools across California to receive an
over-sized check for $25,000 as part of the Treasurer’s 2019 Scholar Dollar Program. The
school-wide duck-taping event was promised to students for winning the competition.
Scholar Dollar Program winners are selected based off the number of online votes they
receive. Patton received an impressive 14,512 votes, more than any California school
that participated in the competition.
“The district is grateful to the State Treasurer’s Office for providing this creative funding
avenue that is enriching classroom experiences across California,” said Teri Rocco,
board of education vice president. “We know that when you put technology in the hands
of our students, it takes learning to a higher level and inspires deeper understanding
than a text book can provide.”
Flase below.
35
{That’s a GGUSD school board member claiming technology. it takes learning to a higher
level and inspires deeper understanding than a text book can provide.” {That’s a GGUSD
school board member claiming technology
https://www.ggusd.us/news/patton-elementary-school-wins-25-000-for-new-technology
LETS TEACH THE VALUE TO OUR CHILDREN HOW TO USE A COUNTY LIBRARY'S. TO ENRICH THEIR
EDUCATION BY TAKEN A FILED TRIPS SO CAN EXPLORE AND HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE VAST
ROWS OF BOOKS OF KNOWLEDGE .THE VALUE OF READING CREATES IMAGINATION IN ONE MIND OF
COLORS,SEEING A VAST OCEANS, MOUNTAINS STIMULATING YOUR ENTIRE MIND WITH DREAMS
COMPARED WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT LIMITS IMAGINATION.WHERE BOOKS PROVIDE TO MAINTAIN A
HEALTH MIND FUNCTIONING SCREEN TIME HAS BEEN PROVEN TO CAUSE MANY MEDICAL NEGATIVE
CONDITIONS.
According to Google Analytics, pornography searches increase by 4,700% when kids are
using the internet in the hours after school ends.
Like it or not, teens are using their devices to access pornography on a regular basis in
today's technology driven society. Where previous generations were cautious of a stolen
Playboy magazine, current parents are looking for guidance on how to shield their teens
from the ever available, internet pornography.
The average child is now accessing pornography at the age of 11 – and that is much
younger than the legal age for viewing such material. Unfortunately, the access to adult
content is easy and is available in a couple clicks. Even though most mature and
pornographic sites have a pop-up warning away minors, there is nothing to stop them
from clicking the ‘over 18’ button and viewing inappropriate material.
https://www.netnanny.com/blog/pornography-searches-increase-4700-when-kids-are-out-
of-school/
After reviewing this body of text to recommend AB 1432 use of smart phones with SB-
1283 is flawed by not addressing pornography on school busses, smartphones, bullying,
crimes
Since a recent news report points out a shortage of funds and staff to address mental
health SB 1283 2024 wants to inspect smartphones when the limit resource of staff and
police officers be better served by banning smartphone under 14 years old the State of
Florida has and the Gov says working well.
AB 3216-2024 with SB-1283 state the date effective as well as the harm when
look at CA State Child abuse welfare code 300 (C} and We as a state have not
recognize the harm social media with Federal and State Child abuse laws the have direct
relationship to current crises CA Welf & Inst Code Section 300
The child is suffering serious emotional damage, or is at substantial risk of suffering
serious emotional damage, evidenced by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or
untoward aggressive behavior toward self or others, as a result of the conduct of the
parent or guardian or who has no parent or guardian capable of providing appropriate
36
care. A child shall not be found to be a person described by this subdivision if the willful
failure of the parent or guardian to provide adequate mental health treatment is based on
a sincerely held religious belief and if a less intrusive judicial intervention is available.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=300.&la
wCode=WIC
Federal legislation provides guidance to States by identifying a minimum set of acts or
behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g), as amended by the CAPTA Reauthorization
Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
“Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in
death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation”; or
“An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
This definition of child abuse and neglect refers specifically to parents and other
caregivers. A “child” under this definition generally means a person who is younger than
age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor.
I’m opposed to CA State Assembly AB 3216 -2024 as its currently written it has serious
flaws with time to be affective, the language is weak compared to other states language
,
This bill would instead require, no later than July 1, 2026, require the governing body of a
school district, a county office of education, or a charter school to adopt to, by July 1,
2026, develop and adopt, and to update every 5 years, a policy to limit or prohibit the use
by its pupils of smartphones while the pupils are at a schoolsite or while the pupils are
under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district,
county office of education, or charter school, as provided. By imposing additional duties
on local educational agencies, the bill would constitute a state-mandated local
program.https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240
AB3216
I’m opposed to CA State SB 1283, as amended, Stern. Pupils: use of smartphones and
social media. the language is weak compared to other states language
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml? SB 1283, as amended, Stern.
Pupils: use of smartphones and social media.
SECTION 1. Section 48901.7 of the Education Code is amended to read:
48901.7. (a) (1) The governing body of a school district, a county office of education, or a
charter school may adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use by its pupils of smartphones
or social media, or both, while the pupils are at a school site or while the pupils are
under the supervision and control of an employee or employees of that school district,
county office of education, or charter school.
37
It would be better served to recognize the brain development how curtailing the
consumption brings what written in many books to Digital Detox,
Screen Strong Teens Discussing A Smartphone free Childhood.
The Screen Strong Challenge: 30-Day Screen Detox for Kids & Teens
According to the Washington Post, a 2018 study found that the more time that kids were
spending on their smartphones, their happiness decreased. The interesting part is that
even though kids were not nearly as happy, they were doing everything in their power to
find more time to spend on their smartphones.Jul 5, 2022
https://www.moms.com/kids-happier-healthier-without-
screens/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Washington%20Post,to%20spend%20on%2
0their%20smartphones.
Teens who spend less time in front of screens are happier — up to a point, new research
shows
screens-are-happier-up-to-a-point-new-research-shows/
CA State is seriously flawed with SCR 73 Blue light 2019 causes mental illness and by
not protecting the eyes from sleep deprivation, myopia, work comp claims.
The lack awareness precludes from State license board to address the over health
effects to address the addiction, SB 976 2024 identified the cause yet. How will we
address the great gap in our CA State? passes? Laws without factoring in the need
training to mirror the health crisis.
CA State has overlooked its child abuse laws with Federal what you are witness a
breakdown of not recognizing the description in the body of language of both clearly
show social media at the current crisis to not educated to limit time bring action with
child abuse laws.
Both AB 3216 smartphone and SB 1263 be enacted now to ban them until age of 14-year-
old to ban during school hours.
THANK YOU
CRAIG A. DURFEY
38
AB 2657
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 23, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PRIVACY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Chair
AB 2657 (Arambula) – As Amended March 21, 2024
SUBJECT: Social Media Commission
SYNOPSIS
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control points to a significant deterioration in high
school students’ mental health in the decade between 2011 and 2021. During that time, the
percentage of male high school students who had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or
hopelessness during the past year increased from 21% to 29%. For female students, the increase
over the same period was tragically higher, from 36% to 57%. A number of studies suggest that
social media use may be a contributing factor to young people’s deteriorating mental health.
This bill, co-sponsored by Public Health Advocates and Children’s Movement Fresno, proposes
to establish the Social Media Commission (commission) for the purpose of bringing together
experts and stakeholders—young people who use social media, educators, parents, and content
experts in social media, technology, and mental health—to provide a comprehensive report with
formal recommendations for regulation of social media as it relates to child and adolescent
mental health and well-being. Proponents argue that a broad diversity of perspectives will result
in more well-rounded recommendations to guide the Legislature.
There is no opposition on file. This bill was previously heard by the Assembly Health Committee,
where it passed 15-0.
SUMMARY: Establishes the commission and tasks it with producing a comprehensive report
for regulating social media as it relates to child and adolescent mental health and well-being.
Specifically, this bill:
1) Establishes the commission for the purpose of bringing together a diverse group of experts
and invested stakeholders to provide a comprehensive report with formal recommendations
for regulation of social media as it relates to child and adolescent mental health and well-
being.
2) Requires the commission to be composed of seven subcommittees, each with five total
members, including one subcommittee chair. Requires each subcommittee chair to be
responsible for leading meetings and writing the subcommittee recommendation reports.
3) Requires the subcommittee chairs to consist of the following:
a) The Secretary of California Health and Human Services, or the secretary’s designee, who
shall serve as the chairperson and as subcommittee chair of one of the subcommittees.
b) Two subcommittee chair members, appointed by the Governor.
c) Two subcommittee chair members, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
d) Two subcommittee chair members, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
AB 2657
Page 2
e) Requires all appointees to have appropriate knowledge and experience regarding social
media, or other relevant expertise.
4) Requires subcommittees to consist of the following:
a) A subcommittee of parents, divided into two groups:
i) Requires the first group to consist of parents of children eight to 12 years of age,
inclusive; and,
ii) Requires the second group to consist of parents of children 13 to 17 years of age,
inclusive.
b) A subcommittee of adolescents 13 to 17 years of age, inclusive;
c) A subcommittee of educators, divided into two groups:
i) Educators of pupils in second grade to fifth grade, inclusive; and,
ii) Educators of pupils in sixth grade to twelfth grade, inclusive.
d) A subcommittee of researchers with expertise that collectively covers the following
subject areas:
i) Communication;
ii) Human development;
iii) Psychology;
iv) Neuroscience;
v) Pediatrics;
vi) A subcommittee of media and technology experts in the following subject areas:
vii) Computer science;
viii) Data privacy; and,
ix) User experience researchers;
e) A subcommittee of policy experts in the following subject areas:
i) Communication law;
ii) Policy research; and,
iii) Economics;
f) A subcommittee of mental health professionals, consisting of the following:
AB 2657
Page 3
i) Therapists;
ii) Psychiatrists; and,
iii) Addiction specialists.
5) Requires the commission to meet for the first time on or before March 30, 2025, and to
convene meetings at least quarterly at locations that are easily accessible to the public.
6) Requests the University of California to send, prior to the initial subcommittee meeting, an
informational briefing to each committee’s members for review that contains a summary
document containing all of the following:
a) A list and description of proposed, enacted, and failed legislation by each state relating to
social media and child or adolescent well-being;
b) A review of other countries’ existing legislation relating to social media and child or
adolescent well-being;
c) A review of research on the outcomes of enacted legislation on adolescent social media
use and mental health;
d) A description of the goals and processes of the commission; and,
e) A description of the legislative process with respect to the commission’s purpose.
7) Requires subcommittees to meet a minimum of two times prior to the first commission-wide
chairs’ meeting.
8) Requires, during the first commission-wide chairs’ meeting, each subcommittee chair to
share the thoughts of their respective committee and receive feedback from the group.
9) Requires a final subcommittee meeting to occur following the commission-wide chairs’
meeting to discuss any new information or recommendations from other committees.
Requires, at this final subcommittee meeting, subcommittees to draft their official
recommendation report.
10) Requires, at a final commission-wide chairs’ meeting, subcommittee chairs to create a
summary of recommendations that will be sent to commission leaders to draft a final report.
11) Permits the commission to establish advisory committees that include members of the public
with relevant knowledge and experience that support stakeholder engagement and an
analytical process by which key design options are developed.
12) Requires the commission and each advisory committee to keep official records of all of their
proceedings.
13) Requires, on or before April 1, 2026, the commission to submit a report to the Legislature
and the Governor that includes both of the following:
AB 2657
Page 4
a) A summary and analysis of the robust, multidisciplinary research and current regulatory
practices regarding child and adolescent social media use and mental health with special
consideration for parental, youth, and industry perspectives; and,
b) A formal set of policy recommendations for legislators on how to effectively regulate
social media to enhance youth safety and well-being. Authorizes the recommendations to
include identifying areas where further investigation is needed to provide ongoing
governance recommendations, particularly as technology and research in adolescent well-
being co-evolve.
EXISTING LAW:
1) Establishes the California Health and Human Services Agency. (Gov. Code § 12806.)
2) Defines “social media platform” as a public or semipublic internet-based service or
application that has users in California and that meets both of the following criteria:
a) A substantial function of the service or application is to connect users in order to allow
them to interact socially with each other within the service or application. (A service or
application that provides email or direct messaging services does not meet this criterion
based solely on that function.)
b) The service or application allows users to do all of the following:
i) Construct a public or semipublic profile for purposes of signing into and using the
service or application.
ii) Populate a list of other users with whom an individual shares a social connection
within the system.
iii) Create or post content viewable by other users, including, but not limited to, on
message boards, in chat rooms, or through a landing page or main feed that presents
the user with content generated by other users. (Bus. & Prof. Code § 22675(e).)
FISCAL EFFECT: As currently in print the bill is keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS:
1) Background. When the Centers for Disease Control released its Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Data Summary & Trends Report 2011-2021 earlier this year, the report’s findings resonated
nationwide. Among the most concerning results were the following:
In the decade between 2011 and 2021, the percentage of male high school students who
had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year
increased from 21% to 29%. For female students, the increase over the same period was
tragically higher, from 36% to 57%.
In 2021, 22% of high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide
during the past year.
AB 2657
Page 5
In 2021, 42% of high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least
two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities. Female students were
more likely than male students to experience persistent feelings of sadness or
hopelessness.1
The connection between findings such as these and teens’ increased use of technologies such as
smartphones and social media applications is increasingly the subject of both research and
legislation. A meta-analysis of 20 research studies published worldwide between January 2010
and June 2020 revealed that “while social media can create a sense of community for the user,
excessive and increased use of social media, particularly among those who are vulnerable, is
correlated with depression and other mental health disorders.”2 And regulation of social media
platforms, with an eye to ensuring children’s well-being online, has been a topic of significant
bipartisan interest in the Legislature for several years.
In 2022, concerns about children’s health and its connection to their online activity prompted this
Committee and the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee to hold a
joint informational hearing on the topic of “Protecting Kids Online: Challenges & Opportunities
in a Digital World.” One of the most notable points made in the informational hearing
background paper was the difficulty of disentangling the benefits from the harms of youths’
online activity, and the consequent nuance that is required when policymaking in this area:
Though the harms of digital technology are substantial, they are not insurmountable, and are
particular to certain types of content, patterns of internet use, and design features. Adequately
addressing online media that are problematic to the wellbeing of young people could
accordingly allow children to utilize the considerable advantages online media provide over
traditional media without endangering their mental and physical health.3
2) Author’s statement. According to the author:
The promise of social media was to build virtual communities that would bring people
together to share information and ideas. In many ways, this promise has been fulfilled. Some
platforms have billions of users and act as a digital thread connecting friends and families.
Unfortunately, social media companies have abused their position as facilitators of some of
the most personal human interactions by prioritizing screen time and profits over the mental
health of their users. Social media’s addictive design exacerbates compulsive and obsessive
behaviors detracting from real-world in-person engagement and contributing to social
isolation.
Children and adolescents who use social media should be safe from harm. AB 2657 will
identify ways to counteract the intentionally addictive design of social media platforms by
establishing a commission to investigate the methods used by social media companies and to
1 The full report may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Data-Summary-
Trends_Report2023_508.pdf.
2 Ulvi, et al., Social Media Use and Mental Health: A Global Analysis, Epidemologia (Jan. 11, 2022), available at
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36417264/.
3 The background paper for the informational hearing (background paper), is available at
https://privacycp.assembly.ca.gov/sites/privacycp.assembly.ca.gov/files/Background_032922pdf.pdf .
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make recommendations on how to prevent future impacts on the mental health of children
and adolescents.
3) Analysis. Under this bill, the commission, by April 1, 2026 must submit to the Legislature and
Governor a report that includes both of the following:
A summary and analysis of the robust, multidisciplinary research and current regulatory
practices regarding child and adolescent social media use and mental health with special
consideration for parental, youth, and industry perspectives.
A formal set of policy recommendations for legislators on how to effectively regulate
social media to enhance youth safety and well-being. The recommendations may also
include identifying areas where further investigation is needed to provide ongoing
governance recommendations, particularly as technology and research in adolescent well-
being co-evolve.
The commission is composed of seven subcommittees, each with five members. These
subcommittees involve a diverse array of experts and stakeholders—young people who use
social media, educators, parents, and content experts in social media, technology, and mental
health. These subcommittees can provide the commission perspectives arising from lived
experience and expertise, leading to a well-rounded set of conclusions that should assist the
Legislature in formulating policy to help young people engage with social media in healthier
ways.
According to Youth Leadership Institute, which supports the bill, “[y]outh, parents, researchers,
teachers, and government officials are deeply concerned of the safety and well-being of our
community. Oftentimes individually we may feel isolated in our worries and solutions are out of
reach. Through this approach, this will unify stakeholders and build human-centered approaches
to solutions and recommendations.”
Oakland Privacy, in support of the bill, adds:
The commission proposed under AB 2657 will complement other initiatives by the state
legislature to reduce harms caused by social media. The commission is an opportunity to
address social media harms on teens through a holistic approach, with engagement from
various stakeholders including youth. Youth’s perspectives and participation in the
discussions and decision-making process is essential and has been implemented in other
systems that can impact youth, such as foster youth in the child-welfare system.
To ensure that the fullest array of voices are represented, the author may also wish to consider
ensuring that the experts and stakeholders have diverse personal backgrounds reflective of
California as a whole. Additionally, it should be noted that this Committee recently passed a
similar bill, AB 1282 (Lowenthal, 2023), which would require a similar report from the Mental
Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. To avoid duplicative efforts, the
author is encouraged to work with the author of AB 1282 to find a common approach.
4) Related legislation. AB 1282 (Lowenthal, 2023) requires the Mental Health Services
Oversight and Accountability Commission on or before July 1, 2026 to report to the relevant
policy committees of the Legislature a statewide strategy to understand, communicate, and
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mitigate mental health risks associated with the use of social media by children and youth. AB
1282 is currently pending on the Senate Inactive File.
AB 2390 (Arambula, 2024) establishes the Social Media Harm Reduction Pilot Program. The
bill is pending in this Committee.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
Co-sponsor Pubic Health Advocates writes:
While most people will have a positive experience on social media platforms, there are also
risks. Young people spend considerable time daily on social media – averaging 4.8 hours per
day – and through a combination of the content they encounter and social media replacing or
competing with other activities, 37% of young people describe social media as a major and
direct contributor to depression and anxiety. This is higher than traditional adolescent
stressors of family and community expectations (18%), school pressure (16%) and bullying
(8%).
As the risks are receiving greater attention, there is nationwide momentum to pass legislation
to protect youth on social media. It is incumbent upon the state of California to review
existing data and develop evidence-informed strategies to protect young people online.
AB 2390 establishes a commission to investigate the methods used by social media
companies and to make recommendations on how to prevent future impacts on the mental
health of children and adolescents. The design of this commission will ensure input from
young people who use social media, educators, parents, and content experts in social media
technology and mental health to fully consider the experience and existing research to
develop recommendations to guide the California legislature.
The American Academy of Pediatrics writes:
Current laws such as the Cyberbullying Protection Act and the Online Violence Prevention
Act have been important in regulating social media platforms. However, the rapidly evolving
landscape of social media demands a more comprehensive approach that considers the
profound impact these platforms have on the mental health and well-being of young people.
The proposed Social Media Commission offers a promising solution by bringing together a
diverse group of experts and stakeholders to provide formal recommendations for the
regulation of social media. By including subcommittees composed of parents, adolescents,
educators, researchers, and subject matter experts, the commission ensures that a wide range
of perspectives and experiences will be considered in the decisionmaking process. The
commission's focus on child and adolescent mental health and well-being is particularly
crucial, given the growing body of research linking excessive social media use to various
negative outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. By empowering the
Secretary of California Health and Human Services to chair the commission, AB 2657
demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of our youth. I commend the
efforts of the bill’s sponsors in recognizing the importance of proactive measures to address
the challenges posed by social media platforms.
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Public Health Advocates (co-sponsor)
Youth Leadership Institute (co-sponsor)
American Academy of Pediatrics, California
Oakland Privacy
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Josh Tosney / P. & C.P. / (916) 319-2200