New Jersey Takes Step Towards Digital Detox in Classrooms
As Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law, New Jersey is set to become the latest state to ban cellphones and other smart devices during school hours. Under the new legislation, schools will be required to create phone-free classrooms, citing benefits such as increased engagement, reduced distractions, and enhanced student interaction.
According to Murphy, his final year in office has been focused on implementing a cellphone ban in schools, with Ramsey High School already having implemented the policy for over a year. The results are promising, with nearly 80% of teachers reporting increased engagement and greater student-to-student interactions.
The new law will require the state's education commission to develop guidelines restricting phone use during school hours, on buses, or during school-sanctioned events. Boards of education must then adopt policies consistent with these guidelines, which will be written within 90 days for implementation by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Exemptions will be made for emergency situations, translation services, and cases where a healthcare professional documents that access to a phone is necessary. Principals and administrators are also allowed to make reasonable accommodations for students using phones for educational purposes.
The move follows similar legislation in 16 other states, which have implemented "bell-to-bell" cellphone bans in classrooms. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who takes office on January 20th, commended Murphy's signing of the bill, highlighting the need to limit phone use and promote online safety for children.
As New Jersey joins the ranks of states pushing for digital detox in schools, concerns about phone addiction and its impact on students' mental health are growing. The law aims to create a more focused learning environment, where students can socialize and interact with each other without the distraction of screens.
As Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law, New Jersey is set to become the latest state to ban cellphones and other smart devices during school hours. Under the new legislation, schools will be required to create phone-free classrooms, citing benefits such as increased engagement, reduced distractions, and enhanced student interaction.
According to Murphy, his final year in office has been focused on implementing a cellphone ban in schools, with Ramsey High School already having implemented the policy for over a year. The results are promising, with nearly 80% of teachers reporting increased engagement and greater student-to-student interactions.
The new law will require the state's education commission to develop guidelines restricting phone use during school hours, on buses, or during school-sanctioned events. Boards of education must then adopt policies consistent with these guidelines, which will be written within 90 days for implementation by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Exemptions will be made for emergency situations, translation services, and cases where a healthcare professional documents that access to a phone is necessary. Principals and administrators are also allowed to make reasonable accommodations for students using phones for educational purposes.
The move follows similar legislation in 16 other states, which have implemented "bell-to-bell" cellphone bans in classrooms. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who takes office on January 20th, commended Murphy's signing of the bill, highlighting the need to limit phone use and promote online safety for children.
As New Jersey joins the ranks of states pushing for digital detox in schools, concerns about phone addiction and its impact on students' mental health are growing. The law aims to create a more focused learning environment, where students can socialize and interact with each other without the distraction of screens.
... I mean, who doesn't want their kid to be able to focus on learnin' stuff for like 8 hours a day? 
It's crazy how much distractions we can get from our phones, even when we're tryin' to relax or hang out with friends. My niece is in school right now and I've noticed she's way more engaged when her teacher isn't makin' her take phone calls during class 
... it's like, the phone is just a superpower that's takin' away from what's really important. I'm all for givin' our kids back their attention span! 
dont think this is gonna work tho, kids will just find ways to sneak them in or use their teachers' phones while they're teaching 
and what about all those teachers who cant even afford a phone for themselves? 
. Schools will just find ways to sneak phones in or make exceptions for some kids, that's how it usually goes. And what about parents who rely on their phones to stay connected with their kids? Are we gonna be one of those places where the 'phone-free' rule only applies to teachers and not parents too? It's all well and good, but have they considered the impact on homework and online research for students? This feels like a step in the right direction but I'm still waitin' to see how it plays out 
. I mean, come on, kids need their phones for research and stuff... it's not like they're just gonna start playing Fortnite in class or something 
. Just don't expect me to go back in time and use a pencil for everything I need to do 
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I think it's a great idea! Schools can be so distracting these days, especially for younger kids 
My nephew was at a school that already did this and he said his teachers were way more engaging without phones 
It's also good to see the state taking action on phone addiction and online safety 
80% of teachers reporting increased engagement is pretty impressive! 
! New Jersey is taking a major step in creating phone-free classrooms - it's about time we prioritize our mental health and focus on face-to-face interactions 
I've seen it work wonders for my own productivity, no distractions means more creativity and better engagement with the material. And let's be real, who needs social media validation during school hours anyway? 
back in the day... like before everyone had a smartphone! This new bill is actually kinda cool though 
. I think it's awesome that New Jersey is taking steps to limit phone use in schools. My kids are always glued to their screens, and I'm worried about how that's affecting their social skills and mental health 
. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out - do they really think it'll reduce distractions and increase engagement? And what about all the teachers who rely on phones for lesson plans or resources? 
Still, I applaud Governor Murphy for trying to create a healthier learning environment 
. Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from our kids' phones 
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It's all about finding that balance between technology and actual human interaction, you know?
. Schools should be a place where they can disconnect from the digital world and focus on learning, interacting with friends, and just being present in the moment 
. It's not that hard to put down your phone during class hours, right? 
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just saw this news about New Jersey going phone-free in classrooms 
Schools need to take control of phone use & create a more focused learning environment 