US EditionNew Jersey Bans Cellphones in Schools
The law mandates local districts to adopt policies limiting non-academic cellphone use to improve student focus and mental health, supported by $3 million in state grants.
- At a ceremony at Ramsey High School, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation banning non-academic use of internet-connected devices starting with the 2026-2027 school year, requiring the New Jersey state education commission and local school boards to develop guidelines.
- Murphy and supporters argued the ban aims to remove distractions and improve student mental health, building on prior guidance and research into youth online harms.
- The state provided targeted grants and budget support, including $980,000 t to 86 districts and $3 million for storage solutions like cabinets used by Gloucester City and pouches at Woodbury.
- Local school boards must adopt policies aligned with Department of Education guidelines, allowing exceptions for instruction, disabilities, and medical needs, while districts handle enforcement and penalties.
- New Jersey now joins 37 states and the District of Columbia with phone limits, with 19 states banning phones all day; Pennsylvania is considering a similar measure.
42 Articles
42 Articles
New Jersey signs legislation banning cellphones in schools
K-12 students in New Jersey will no longer be allowed to use their cellphones in school starting in the fall of 2026. Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ) signed a bill into law on Thursday establishing “phone-free” schools in the Garden State. The bill, also supported by Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), bars the “nonacademic use” of smartphones on school grounds during the school day. Murphy said the state has already seen the impact of phone-restricting p…
NJ adopts ‘bell-to-bell’ cellphone ban policy for public schools. Is PA next?
By Melanie Burney, The Philadelphia Inquirer New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law Thursday banning cellphones in New Jersey public schools from “bell to bell” in an effort to help students focus on learning. New Jersey joins a growing number of states that have enacted tighter cellphone restrictions in schools to remove distractions. Pennsylvania is considering a similar measure, and 17 states have banned the devices in schools, according to…
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WebProNewsNew Jersey Bans Cellphones in K-12 Schools for Better Focus, Mental Health
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a law on January 8, 2026, requiring K-12 schools to ban non-academic cellphone use throughout the school day starting in 2026-2027. Aimed at reducing distractions and improving student mental health, this bipartisan measure joins a national trend ...
New Jersey the latest state to ban cellphones in class
New Jersey is banning cellphones in class during the school day, for grades K through 12. It joins 17 other states and Washington D.C. in getting phones out of class entirely, and 8 other states that disallow using during instruction. — Read the rest The post New Jersey the latest state to ban cellphones in class appeared first on Boing Boing.
NJ to officially ban cell phones in schools
RAMSEY, N.J. (PIX11) -- School hallways are going to look much different in New Jersey. On Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools. It's been a priority of his since he touted his support for the ban in last year's State of the State address. "With the [...]
Gov. Murphy signs bill to ban cellphones in classrooms
Gov. Phil Murphy speaking at Ramsey High School on Jan. 8, 2026, before signing a bill that will ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms beginning next school year. (Photo by Jake Hirsch/Governor’s Office.) New Jersey public school districts will be required to bar their students from using cellphones and other smart devices during school hours under a bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy Thursday. Murphy, a Democrat whose second term ends on Jan.…
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