New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is making waves in the education sector with his recent proposal to implement a statewide ban on cell phones in public schools. The Governor’s call for the ban, delivered during his State of the State address, aims to curb the rise of cyberbullying and improve students’ focus on their studies. A local media house has quoted Murphy saying, “The rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis.” The proposed ban would apply to students in grades K-12 and would require schools to develop stricter policies on smartphone usage.
Murphy’s proposal has gained traction among state lawmakers and educators.
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It’s backed by both the New Jersey State Senate and the New Jersey Education Association, who stress that removing distractions in classrooms can improve student engagement and mental well-being. Media reports suggest that many teachers across the state have voiced concerns over how difficult it is to enforce rules that prevent students from using phones during instructional time.
Cell phone ban: A growing trend across US schools
New Jersey isn’t alone in considering cell phone restrictions for schools. Across the US, a growing number of states are either proposing similar bans or have already enacted policies that limit phone use on school grounds. Some states are ahead of the curve, already implementing statewide restrictions, while others are in the early stages of introducing legislation.
Several states have enacted or are considering rules that could affect millions of students. In Florida, for example, a statewide ban on phones took effect in 2023, and the state of California plans to restrict phone use starting in 2026. Other states like Indiana, Louisiana, and South Carolina have passed or are expected to implement restrictions in the next few years, marking a shift toward more regulation of smartphone usage in schools. However, some states are still in the early stages, with proposed bans or pilot programs under review.
State actions on cell phone ban: A snapshot
Here’s a snapshot of how other states are responding to the growing call for phone bans in schools.
While there are strong proponents for restricting phones to combat distractions, critics argue that students should be allowed to carry phones for safety and communication reasons. Nevertheless, the national conversation around the issue is growing, and it seems that more states are joining the movement toward limiting phone use in schools.
