New Jersey joined a growing movement across the nation to ban cellphones in the classroom on Thursday.
The “bell to bell” ban bars students from using smartphones or other internet-connected devices during the school day. The legislation, which Governor Murphy signed into law Thursday, requires the state education commission and local school boards to draw up guidelines for cellphone usage for K–12 students.
The bill specifies the ban of cellphone use for non-academic purposes. However, exceptions can be made if devices are used as educational tools for a specific task or lesson.
Murphy initially called for the policy earlier this year, noting that areas with existing cellphone bans reported increased student engagement and improved mental health. One of the state’s largest districts, Jersey City, banned student smartphone use in October.
The state budget will allocate $3 million to support the initiative.
New Jersey is the latest state to join the growing movement. Thirty-six other states and Washington, D.C., have similar laws in place.
Advocates for the measure say cellphone bans promote communication between students, improve engagement, limit bullying, and reduce distractions.
Some critics argue it could create safety concerns if a student has no way of contacting a parent in an emergency. However, students would still be able to access their devices in such cases. Additionally, teachers and staff are not required to store phones.
New Jersey joined a growing movement across the nation to ban cellphones in the classroom on Thursday.
The “bell to bell” ban bars students from using smartphones or other internet-connected devices during the school day. The legislation, which Governor Murphy signed into law Thursday, requires the state education commission and local school boards to draw up guidelines for cellphone usage for K–12 students.
The bill specifies the ban of cellphone use for non-academic purposes. However, exceptions can be made if devices are used as educational tools for a specific task or lesson.
Murphy initially called for the policy earlier this year, noting that districts with existing cellphone bans reported increased student engagement and improved mental health. One of the state’s largest districts, Jersey City, banned student smartphone use in October.
The state budget will allocate $3 million to support the initiative.
New Jersey is the latest state to join the growing movement. Thirty-six other states and Washington, D.C., have similar laws in place.
Advocates for the measure say cellphone bans promote communication between students, improve engagement, limit bullying, and reduce distractions.
Some critics argue it could create safety concerns if a student has no way of contacting a parent in an emergency. However, students would still be able to access their devices in such cases. Additionally, teachers and staff are not required to store phones.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.