BP 5131.8 — Mobile Communication Devices

Section: 5000 - Students
Status: Active

Adopted: 2021-12-16

Revised: 2025-09-11

Policy text

MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

The Board of Education is dedicated to fostering a safe, positive, and productive learning environment for all students. Research increasingly indicates that unrestricted access to smartphones, cell phones, smartwatches, and other electronic communication devices can negatively affect students’ emotional well-being and academic performance. While these devices can serve as valuable educational tools, they can also disrupt the learning environment and impact student mental health if not properly managed.

To promote a secure and healthy educational atmosphere, the Board has established guidelines for the use and possession of smartphones, cell phones, smartwatches, and other wireless communication devices. These guidelines are designed to help students concentrate better in school, enhance social interactions, and fully engage with their surroundings. Limiting device usage also encourages physical activity, nurtures creativity, and minimizes exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying. By setting clear boundaries, by age and grade span, we aim to support students in developing healthy habits and the self-discipline necessary for success both academically and personally.

Parents/guardians play a crucial role in reinforcing these guidelines outside of school, ensuring that students maintain healthy habits and responsible device usage at home. By partnering with the school, families can help support their students. There is growing evidence that unrestricted use of smartphones by pupils at elementary and secondary schools during the school day interferes with the educational mission of the schools, lowers pupil performance, particularly among low-achieving pupils, promotes cyberbullying, and contributes to an increase in teenage anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Mobile communication devices shall be turned off and placed in the designated location while at school unless authorized by the school Principal or designee. However, a student shall not be prohibited from possessing or using a mobile communication device under any of the following circumstances in accordance with Education Code 48901.5, 48901.7:

In the case of an emergency, or in response to a perceived threat of danger
When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student to possess or use a mobile communication device, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator
When a licensed physician or surgeon determines that the possession or use is necessary for the student’s health and well-being
When the possession or use is required by the student’s individualized education program

Smartphones, cell phones, smartwatches, and other mobile communication devices shall not be used in any manner that infringes on the privacy rights of any other person.

When a school official reasonably suspects that a search of a student’s mobile communication device will turn up evidence of the student’s violation of the law or school rules, such a search shall be conducted in accordance with BP/AR 5145.12 - Search and Seizure.

When a student uses a mobile communication device in an unauthorized manner, the student may be disciplined, and a district employee may confiscate the device. The employee shall store the device securely until it is returned to the student or turned over to the principal or designee, as appropriate. The District shall not be responsible for student personal belongings that are brought on campus or to a school activity and are lost, stolen, or damaged.

A student may also be subject to discipline, in accordance with law, Board policy, or administrative regulation, for off-campus use of a mobile communication device that poses a threat or danger to the safety of students, staff, or district property or substantially disrupts school activities.

The Superintendent or designee shall inform students that the district will not be responsible for a student’s mobile communication device that is brought on campus or to a school activity and is lost, stolen, or damaged.