New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is advocating for a comprehensive ban on the use of cell phones in public schools throughout the state, specifically targeting students from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
During his State of the State address on Tuesday, Murphy advocated for the prohibition of phones.
“They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying. And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn. Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis?” Murphy said.
Murphy’s message is clear: he will no longer passively witness the suffering of children.
The New Jersey State Senate and the teachers union are both supporting the proposal, urging the Education Department to develop a comprehensive policy regarding cell phones and social media in schools.
Assemblyman Cody Miller supports a similar bill, emphasizing the importance of providing administrators with a framework for cellphone rules.
“Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Louisiana is becoming a national issue. Actually, the U.S. Department of Education called on every state school and district on Tuesday to adopt policies on cell phone use in schools,” said Assemblyman Miller.
According to research, most teachers believe that cell phones are a distraction in the classroom and face challenges in getting students to put them away during instruction.
Delaware and Pennsylvania already provide cash to districts that require phones to be placed in bags or pouches out of students’ reach.
However, proponents of phone use in schools believe that it should be permitted for safety and communication reasons.
Cherry Hill schools currently forbid the use of cell phones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds.
Cherry Hill East Principal Daniel Finkle says the initiative has been a success.
“When you walk into classrooms, I don’t see phones,” he says.
Students can carry their devices, but they must store their phones in a bag.
“It was always that vibration from the notification that would make me want to look down, and now that’s not really an issue. Also, no one else is doing it,” said Cherry Hill West senior Rebekah Bruesehoff.
The New Jersey Education Association is expressing support for Murphy’s proposal, saying, “Shared input and community buy-in will help ensure the success of those policies better than any one-size-fits-all ban imposed from above.”
