In an attempt to improve focus and mental health in students, Gov. Phil Murphy has officially proposed a statewide ban on cellphone use in all public-school classrooms.
The announcement came during Murphy’s State of the State address in Trenton on Jan. 14. The policy would restrict cellphone use for students in grades K-12, a measure he said is necessary to combat distractions in the classroom and the negative impact of social media on the mental well-being of kids.
“Today, our children are inundated with screens,” Murphy said. “If you ask just about any educator, they will tell you that mobile devices are a distraction in the classroom. They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying and making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn.”
Murphy’s proposal calls for school districts to adopt clear policies that establish phone-free classrooms, building on similar efforts already underway in some districts. A number of schools have introduced lockable pouches for phones, and the Cherry Hill school district last summer banned the devices during instructional time.
The push for a ban comes amid growing national concern over the impact of smartphones on youth mental health. New Jersey now joins other states – including California, Florida and New York – in exploring or implementing student cellphone restrictions. A recent Pew Research Center poll showed that 68% of U.S. adults support banning cellphone use during school hours, with even stronger support among teachers, 72% of whom consider phones a major classroom distraction.
The proposed policy would allow for exceptions, particularly for special education students who may need devices to support their learning. It would consider age-appropriate guidelines for younger and older students.
While many educators have voiced support for the initiative, some parents have expressed concerns about not being able to contact their children during emergencies. Murphy’s office has not yet detailed how emergency communication would be handled under the ban, but left room for more discussion as the proposal develops.
Parents in Cherry Hill have largely agreed that cellphones distract students.
“I’m old school,” Julianna Alleva told MSN. “I think it’s a distraction.”
Murphy’s proposal also got bipartisan support, with Republican lawmakers – who largely withheld applause during much of the governor’s speech – rising in agreement when the plan was announced.
