SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Children are returning to school for another school year, and Sacramento Governor Gavin Newsom is sending a signal.

Newsom is urging all school districts to restrict cell phones in classrooms.

“I think it’s a great decision. The children are here to learn. They’re here to focus on their schoolwork, hang out and meet friends. And I don’t think social media is part of that,” said Fabiola Coronel, a mother of young schoolchildren. “I think that in case of an emergency, you will have access to the school and to the authorities. You will have another way to communicate with them.”

“I support this movement to restrict cell phone use in schools,” said Tony Thurmond, California Department of Education superintendent.

Thurmond called for similar measures as Newsom.

“It is well documented that students use their phones at school in ways that are often distracting,” Thurmond said.

The Los Angeles Unified School District – the largest in the state – has already passed a policy banning cell phones on school grounds that will take effect in 2025.

Locally, existing San Diego and Coronado Unified School District policies state that cell phones must be turned off during class time.

ABC 10News asked on our Facebook page if people would like to see something like this in our district.

Many comments say that students should have their phones with them for emergencies, but should not use them during class.

“I remember when parents said, ‘Hey, your child needs to put their phone in a bag.’ And that was my first concern. What about safety?” Thurmond said. “I think there are ways to have a cell phone in the classroom if a cell phone needs to be available for safety reasons, and that’s different than having every student on their phone.”