{"id":2532042,"date":"2026-01-09T14:01:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-signs-legislation-banning-cellphones-in-schools\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T14:03:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T19:03:31","slug":"new-jersey-signs-legislation-banning-cellphones-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-signs-legislation-banning-cellphones-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey signs legislation banning cellphones in schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-jersey-signs-legislation-banning-cellphones-in-schools%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2532042&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>New Jersey will ban nonacademic use of cellphones by K-12 students on school grounds during the school day, starting in fall 2026. Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill, supported by Rep.-elect Mikie Sherrill, creating &#8220;phone-free&#8221; schools and directing the state education commissioner to issue guideline policies for districts by early April. The law allows exceptions for emergencies. Officials and teachers say <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >pilot restrictions improved focus<\/a>, reduced anxiety, and increased in-person socializing; supporters point to research linking heavy smartphone use with poorer academic performance and worse mental-health symptoms. The move joins similar &#8220;bell-to-bell&#8221; bans in other states. Public opinion is mixed: about 74% back banning phones during class time,while support for full-day bans is narrowly divided.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New Jersey signs legislation banning cellphones in schools<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2468492\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>K-12 students in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">N<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">e<\/a><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">w Jersey<\/a> will no longer be allowed to use their <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/phones\/\">cellphones<\/a> in school starting in the fall of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/phil-murphy\/\">Phil Murphy<\/a> (D-NJ) signed a bill into law on Thursday establishing &ldquo;phone-free&rdquo; schools in the Garden State. The bill, also supported by Gov.-elect <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mikie-sherrill\/\">Mikie Sherrill<\/a> (D-NJ), bars the &ldquo;nonacademic use&rdquo; of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/smartphones\/\">smartphones<\/a> on school grounds during the school day. Murphy said the state has already seen the impact of phone-restricting policies in trial districts across the state.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4409773\/linda-mcmahon-tour-patriotism-dismantle-education-department\/\">Linda McMahon hits the road: Promoting patriotism and dismantling the Education Department<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/4409993\/iowa-first-state-federal-education-waiver\/\">Iowa becomes first state approved for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-becomes-first-state-approved-for-federal-education-waiver\/\" title=\"Iowa becomes first ... approved for federal ... waiver\">sweeping federal education waiver<\/a> by Trump administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/4409150\/california-education-laws-2026\/\">Many education laws to take effect in 2026 in California<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Teachers report that students are more focused, less anxious, and they are socializing and laughing with each other &mdash; not through a screen &mdash; but in hallways and classrooms. By getting rid of needless distractions, we are fundamentally changing our schools&rsquo; learning environments and encouraging our children to be more attentive and engaged during the school day,&rdquo; Murphy said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>New Jersey joins <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3878220\/ayotte-touts-success-bell-to-bell-cellphone-ban\/\">dozens of other states<\/a> in implementing the so-called &ldquo;bell-to-bell,&rdquo; or full-day cellphone ban, a move that has seen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3871145\/evers-signs-wisconsin-school-cell-phone-ban-into-law\/\">bipartisan support<\/a> from state legislatures across the United States.<\/p>\n<p>About 74% of American adults support banning cellphone use during middle and high school class time, according to a Pew Research Center <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/short-reads\/2025\/07\/16\/americans-support-for-school-cellphone-bans-has-ticked-up-since-last-year\/\">poll<\/a>. The country is nearly split on the bell-to-bell bans, with just 2% more adults saying no to the full-day restriction, according to the July poll.<\/p>\n<p>Sherrill rhetorically cosigned the ban as a win for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-democrats-block-ashley-hinson-bill-to-reopen-schools-with-in-person-learning\/\" title=\"House Democrats Block Ashley Hinson Bill to Reopen ... with In-Person Learning\">youth mental health<\/a>. Several <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7012622\/\">studies<\/a> have linked excessive smartphone usage in young adults with worsening academic performance and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/education\/3860652\/student-cellphone-prohibition-improves-test-scores-study\/\">STUDENT CELLPHONE PROHIBITION IMPROVES TEST SCORES: STUDY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our young people are facing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-appeals-court-overturns-conviction-of-police-officer-who-shot-armed-man\/\" title=\"Texas Appeals Court Overturns Conviction of Police Officer Who Shot Armed Man\">mental health crisis &#038;mdash<\/a>; but, we all know that when&nbsp;children&nbsp;put the screens down,&nbsp;their mental health and academic results improve,&rdquo; Sherrill said in a statement. &ldquo;I look forward to implementing this important legislation and continuing to make progress on kids&rsquo; online safety&nbsp;and holding Big Tech accountable&nbsp;for the content they push toward our kids.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/pub.njleg.state.nj.us\/Bills\/2024\/S4000\/3695_R3.PDF\">law<\/a> instructs the state commissioner of education to draft a guideline policy for districts to work with by early April. It also provides some exceptions to the phone ban, including allowing children to access and use their devices in the case of an emergency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Jersey bans K-12 student cellphones in schools<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2532043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/school-cellphone-student-ban.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[37362,35136,4762,33096,3735],"class_list":["post-2532042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-cellphone-ban","tag-education-policy","tag-legislation","tag-new-jersey","tag-schools"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/school-cellphone-student-ban.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532042","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2532042"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2532046,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532042\/revisions\/2532046"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2532043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2532042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2532042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2532042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}