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Posted on 01/09/2026 6:53:07 PM PST by nickcarraway
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday to ban cell phones in schools throughout New Jersey.
The State Senate originally passed Bill S3695 last month, which calls for guidelines to restrict and/or ban the use of cell phone or cell phone adjacent devices during school hours.
The law makes it mandatory for all school districts in New Jersey to adopt strict cell phone guidelines for students. But the restrictions would have different rules for different grades. Regardless of the restrictions, it would still prohibit the non-academic use of a cell phones or social media during class time.
"The guidelines shall, at a minimum: (1) provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated guidelines concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of [cell phones and social media platforms] internet-enabled devices (2) prohibit non-academic use of [a cell phone or social media during classroom instruction] an internet-enabled device on school grounds during the school day," the piece of legislation reads in part.
The new rules take effect at the start of the next school year.
“With today’s bill signing, we are ensuring New Jersey schools are a place for learning and engagement, not distracting screens that detract from academic performance. In schools across our state, from Ramsey to Woodbury, we have seen the positive impact of phone-free policies," Murphy said in a statement Thursday.
“Teachers report that students are more focused, less anxious, and they are socializing and laughing with each other — not through a screen — but in hallways and classrooms. By getting rid of needless distractions, we are fundamentally changing our schools’ learning environments and encouraging our children to be more attentive and engaged during the school day. This is a sensible policy that will make a world of difference for our children," Murphy's statement went on to say.
The law brings into fruition the state's bell-to-bell prohibition on cell phone use -- a plan that has been in the works for a while.
Supporters said concerns over students' mental health and disruptions to the learning environment caused by internet-enabled devices made this piece of legislation necessary.
In its original "Guidance for Schools on Student Use of Internet Enabled Devices," published in 2025, the state said: "In today’s increasingly connected world, cell phones and other internet-enabled devices are integral to how students communicate, access information, and engage with the broader world. However, the unregulated use of these devices during the school day can result in lower academic performance, harm to emotional well-being, and deterioration of a positive school climate."
The guidance further said: "In response to these concerns, the New Jersey Department of Education has developed this set of guidelines to support districts in crafting thoughtful, inclusive, and age-appropriate policies based on research and best practices that allow for flexibility in local implementation."
New Jersey joins a growing list of school districts and states implementing cell phone bans.
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I don’t personally have a problem with cell phone restrictions in public school. People are there for a purpose and surfing the net is not that purpose.
I certainly managed to get through school without a cellphone. Just saying.
Time to restrict smart-fooking-phones for adults as well!
Are recorders allowed so the students can rat out the teachers?
How are the chilrens going to search for the Rule of Cosines when they forgot where the A’s, B’s and C’s go?
The urban school district where I taught once banned cell phones. It was a very good idea.
But oh my goodness. All hell broke loose. Students at the school entrances would not give up their cell phones (even the phones would be tagged, and returned to them at the end of the day). It was darn near hand-to-hand combat.
And then there were the parents. “How can we get in touch with our kids in case of an emergency?” They threatened lawsuits.
My school district caved. Students can now bring their cell phones to class. And if they decide to talk on it because of an “emergency”, there’s not much a teacher can Gov. Phil Murphy do except plead for them to stop.
What a mess.
So, yeah. Gov. Murphy will cave too.
P.S. Urban public schools are done. There is no saving them.
Typo in #7. It should read:
…there’s not much a teacher can do except plead for them to stop.
bkmk
First we disarmed the kids.
Next we banned them from calling 911.
Welcome to the K-12 killing fields.
ARTH ping.
How about passing a ban Phil Murphy bill ?
It’s a terrible idea, but the libs will love it.
Kids can’t call for help in emergencies like school shooters.
Kids can’t film lib teachers indoctrinating them that can be taken home to show Mom and Dad.
How did we ever survive before cellphones?
My kids once went away to a summer camp two states away. Cell phones were banned, but I had my kids sneak theirs in. lol
I heard this cell phone ban about a week ago. It wasn’t by Murphy, but another RAT. You’ve got to ask yourself why that is.
Bad parent
LOL. In my defense, they couldn’t go online with their phones, but they could text, and I wanted to know they were okay.
Cellphone? I got through high school and college without a computer. My manual Smith-Corona is around the house somewhere.
Times were not as treacherous.
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