New Jersey Lawmakers Weigh Statewide School Cellphone Ban

Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a bill that would ask the state education commissioner to assist school boards in drafting policies that restrict student cellphone and internet-device usage while school is in session. Non-academic phone use would be prohibited during regular hours, on school buses, and at supervised school activities.

Gov. Phil Murphy backs the measure. He wants to sign it before his term ends Jan. 20. "If I had a wish list right now, it would be — and I'm praying that we get it to my desk — to sign a bell-to-bell ban of cellphones, which we would really like to get and I'm hopeful we will get," Murphy said, per NJ Spotlight News. "That would be a game changer and the evidence is overwhelming."

Assemblywoman Rosaura Bagolie sponsored the bill. She also runs the East Newark School District as superintendent. Bagolie says the aim is reducing distractions and student stress. "The thought process behind this bill was really, 'How do we help kids in school engage in the learning environment and not necessarily in the outside noise that … is causing students heightened anxiety and certainly behavioral issues?'" Bagolie told NJ Spotlight News.

This legislation would codify recent guidance issued by the state Department of Education. Current guidelines suggest limiting device access during class for all students, kindergarten through 12th grade, with additional restrictions extending across the entire school day. Any new policies must comply with state and federal laws protecting students who have disabilities.

Jersey City Public Schools implemented a ban this year. Phones must be off or switched to airplane mode during class. Superintendent Norma Fernandez has noticed students interacting more since the policy started. "It's the development of social skills, of interactions, of communications, and not just texting or scrolling through the ideal world of Instagram (and) TikTok," Fernandez told NJ Spotlight News.

Fernandez observed fewer suspensions. Reports of suicidal thoughts dropped. Students now participate more in class.

A state commission released a report this year called Growing Up Online examining how social media affects teenagers. Robin Cogan served on that commission. She says the goal extends past simply banning phones. "We want success to look like calmer classrooms. We want safety for students to feel like they belong," said Cogan, the state director for the National Association of School Nurses.

The Senate approved the bill. The Assembly hasn't voted yet. Lawmakers have until January, when the current two-year session concludes, or they'll need to start over with a new proposal.