US EditionNJ School Phone Ban Signed Into Law By Governor Murphy
- On Jan. 8, 2026, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation banning cellphone use in New Jersey public schools at a Ramsey High School ceremony during his final days in office.
- A state commission's report 'Growing Up Online' earlier this year linked social media and phones to youth mental-health harms, and Adriana Kuch's Feb. 4 suicide intensified calls for action.
- By March, Kevin Dehmer, Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Education, must issue age- and grade-differentiated guidelines covering school hours, buses, and events, and boards of education in New Jersey must adopt aligned policies.
- Districts that piloted bans reported calmer learning environments, better grades and fewer suspensions, and students in affected districts said phone-free policies increased socialization and made school days calmer.
- The law will take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year and apply statewide to public K-12 schools as New Jersey becomes the 28th state to restrict internet-enabled devices.
17 Articles
17 Articles
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.…
Bill banning cell phone use in NJ schools signed by Murphy
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
