
CHERRY HILL – Governor Mikie Sherrill today visited Cherry Hill High School East to hear directly from students about the implementation and impact of New Jersey’s statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones and other internet-enabled devices in K-12 schools. The visit comes on the heels of the Governor announcing earlier this week that Rutgers University will serve as home to the State’s dedicated Social Media Research Center, which is the first of its kind in the nation.
Signed into law in January 2026 by former Governor Phil Murphy, the school cell phone ban requires all New Jersey public school districts to adopt policies restricting students’ use of these devices throughout the school day beginning with the current 2026–2027 school year.
“We know that when kids put down the screens, their mental health and academic performance improve. Giving students a school day free from constant digital distractions creates more room to learn, build friendships, and connect with their teachers,” said Governor Sherrill. “Today, I heard directly from students about how this change is affecting their lives. As we implement this law, we will continue our Administration’s comprehensive work to protect our kids’ mental health, support parents, and hold Big Tech accountable for the harmful content and addictive features they push on our children.”
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