New Jersey Becomes Latest State to Go Phone-Free in Classrooms, Governor Signs Bill into Law
In a move aimed at boosting academic performance and improving student engagement, New Jersey has become the latest state to ban cellphones in classrooms. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill into law on Thursday, requiring public school districts across the state to prohibit the use of mobile devices during regular school hours.
The new law is expected to have a significant impact on student behavior, with nearly 80% of teachers reporting increased engagement and interaction among students when cellphone-free classes were implemented at a pilot school in Ramsey. Murphy cited this evidence as proof that the ban would lead to a more focused learning environment, where students can socialize without the distraction of screens.
Under the new law, the state's education commission will develop guidelines for restricting cellphone use in schools, with boards of education required to adopt policies consistent with these guidelines. However, there are some exceptions – students will be allowed to use their phones in case of an emergency or if they require translation services, and principals can make reasonable accommodations for students who need to use devices for educational purposes.
The move is part of a growing trend across the United States, with 16 states already implementing "bell-to-bell" cellphone bans in classrooms. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has also commended Murphy for signing the bill, citing her own commitment to limiting phone use in schools and promoting online safety.
As the new law takes effect, New Jersey joins a growing list of states seeking to reduce the impact of technology on education. With the start of the 2026-27 school year, students will no longer be allowed to bring their phones into class, marking a significant shift towards a more phone-free learning environment.
In a move aimed at boosting academic performance and improving student engagement, New Jersey has become the latest state to ban cellphones in classrooms. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill into law on Thursday, requiring public school districts across the state to prohibit the use of mobile devices during regular school hours.
The new law is expected to have a significant impact on student behavior, with nearly 80% of teachers reporting increased engagement and interaction among students when cellphone-free classes were implemented at a pilot school in Ramsey. Murphy cited this evidence as proof that the ban would lead to a more focused learning environment, where students can socialize without the distraction of screens.
Under the new law, the state's education commission will develop guidelines for restricting cellphone use in schools, with boards of education required to adopt policies consistent with these guidelines. However, there are some exceptions – students will be allowed to use their phones in case of an emergency or if they require translation services, and principals can make reasonable accommodations for students who need to use devices for educational purposes.
The move is part of a growing trend across the United States, with 16 states already implementing "bell-to-bell" cellphone bans in classrooms. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has also commended Murphy for signing the bill, citing her own commitment to limiting phone use in schools and promoting online safety.
As the new law takes effect, New Jersey joins a growing list of states seeking to reduce the impact of technology on education. With the start of the 2026-27 school year, students will no longer be allowed to bring their phones into class, marking a significant shift towards a more phone-free learning environment.
Schools are going old skool 
and ditching those pesky cellphones 
! Who needs selfies with the teacher 
? New Jersey is leading the charge 
, and we're low-key excited about it 
. The thought of students actually paying attention during class without their screens is a beautiful thing 
. It's like they say: "If you want to improve your focus, put your phone on 'Do Not Disturb' mode" 
it's like, we need to teach them some basic human skills before we worry about online safety 
... I mean, come on! How are people gonna stay safe in case of an emergency if they can't even check their phones? And what about the students who actually need to use devices for educational purposes, like online research or presentations? It's just not practical. I think schools should find ways to make learning more engaging and interactive that don't involve taking away a kid's phone... like maybe better Wi-Fi or more educational apps 
. And what about all the parents who are gonna freak out when their kids can't use their phones during lunch? It's just too restrictive.
! Schools are already hard enough without adding another distraction... I mean, what's next? No TVs in classrooms either?! 
But seriously, can't we just find a way to balance the need for devices in education (for research or notes) with keeping phones out of class during regular hours?! This law is gonna be super frustrating for teens who are already glued to their screens 
. I mean, I get it, reduced distractions and all that jazz... but what about those students who need to use their phones for translation services? 
Can't we just make sure everyone's accommodated instead of making a blanket ban?!
It's all about focus and engagement, according to the Governor. And let's be real, students are gonna have a blast without their screens all day... no Snapchat drama, no texting friends 
. Can't wait for 2026-27 to roll around and see the impact this has on student learning 
and makin sure we're not gettin distracted all day long. 
so yeahz, new jersey is doin it rite! 
...
I mean, think about it, when you're in class, your brain is like "what's that notification on my phone?" 
So yeah, I'm glad NJ is taking steps towards making schools phone-free zones. Fingers crossed it spreads to other states and eventually the whole country 
. Studies show that having phones out can lead to a lot of screen time which is bad for our eyes and just plain unhealthy 
. Maybe they could have some kind of compromise where students are allowed to use their phones for educational purposes under certain conditions? Like, if they're working on a project that requires internet access, they should be able to use their phone for that 
️.
. Some people might say it's too restrictive, but I think it's worth trying out to see what works best for our education system 
. It'll probably just lead to students sneaking phones into class or finding ways to charge them quickly during lunch. Like, have you seen those tiny chargers that can fit in the palm of your hand? 
. It's about time we start putting our phones away and focusing on our education 
also think it's awesome that Gov Murphy is taking steps to promote online safety and help kids learn better without phones getting in the way 
. I've been meaning to do it for ages and the contractor said he's free on Saturday. Have you ever gotten those things installed? What kind of style are you thinking of? I'm really leaning towards something modern and sleek, but not too futuristic... just my two cents