New Jersey’s Phone Ban: One Year Later

Written by: Milo Gavaghan (‘28) & Lianna Bakaradze-Marin (‘28)

As every student in New Jersey has been made aware, former Governor Phil Murphy’s phone ban has been officially implemented, with the aim of addressing student mental health, well-being, and academic achievement. 

Considering how rules against phones in just the past few years have become progressively stricter, as well as more states across the country implementing bans and regulations, many knew this was bound to happen. But how it would actually impact students seemed uncertain. Now, with the ban, Iniya I., a junior, shared with the Lawrencian, “I actually expected it to be less strict, but clearly things have changed!”

While students and teachers alike are only just beginning to adapt to these new rules with the start of the school year, many have already noticed changes in classrooms. “I think the phone ban has had a massive effect on how students interact, especially during times when students complete their work and have free time,” Mr. Rajput, a new physics teacher at Lawrence High School explained. “I am now seeing students talking to each other or even conversating with me, whereas in the past students would just bury their faces in their phones during free time.” Students at Lawrence High School have had the same observations, as Iniya states, “I'm glad people at lunch are more interactive with one another, so I guess that's a good thing about the ban.”

But not everyone shares this same, positive perspective. Kylie R., a junior, shared that while the ban is certainly forcing students to talk more than before, especially during resource and lunch periods, it is still “forcing more people to be academic more than friendly. [...] The one most unfair thing about the phone ban that they should change is not being allowed to have our phones during lunch and resources. Those are our free periods that we can be mindless in.” 

Junior, Serra E., also expresses her concerns about the restriction on phones during lunch. “I think it makes sense to have phones banned during class since it can distract us from lessons, but what doesn't make sense to me is them being banned during our lunches and resources. School can be stressful!...Resource and Lunch is our time to decompress and to have a break to refresh our minds. I think the phone ban shouldn't affect our Lunch and Resource periods since that's OUR time. We should be able to choose what to do with that time given to us.” 

While the phone ban has its cons and has received some negative feedback from students, there have been some pleasantly surprising benefits from the phone ban. For example, Kylie R. shared, “Honestly I expected the phone ban to be a lot worse than it actually is. At the beginning of the year it was more weird than hard to not have my phone out. But by now it’s something I’m used to. [...] Sometimes now I forget to take out my phone from my bag at the end of the day.” 

Both students and teachers even see the phone ban sticking around for good in the future, as Mr. Rajput explains “I expect this phone ban to last for the foreseeable future. I think it is working, and once this generation of students (students who used to be able to use their phone in school) phase out of the school, and the new students who are used to not having phones enter, it will become much more smooth. The new norm will just be to not have your phone in school.” Correspondingly, Kylie R. explains “I really do think this phone ban is going to stick. I feel that most people have already assimilated into this new lifestyle.” Some students, however, find that there could be some small tweaks. Serra E. states “I think that the phone ban will stay, but changes to the law might happen. Such as, the law just banning phones during teaching, but allowing it during break times.” 

Despite the newly changing laws regarding schools in New Jersey, it’s important to recognize what works and what doesn’t work, and to give students, who are being directly affected by it, a voice and to let their opinions be heard. With Governor Sherrill in office, more new bills and laws are set to be passed, so be on the lookout!