Phones Down, Heads Up:
New Policies Aim to Reclaim Student Attention
BY CANDACE WALLER
Across the country, school districts are revising their policies on cell phone usage to boost student engagement. For the 2025–26 academic year, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul have instituted a ban on student cell phone use during school hours, according to the NYC Mayor’s Office.
In New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy has also voiced strong support for restricting cell phone use. During his 2025 State of the State address, Murphy advocated for a ban in all K–12 public schools and pledged millions of dollars in funding to help districts implement such policies. While New Jersey has not yet imposed a statewide ban, a recently passed bill requires every school district to adopt policies that limit student cell phone and social media use.
The rationale for these measures is rooted in research suggesting that cell phones distract students, hindering learning and potentially contributing to declining test scores. A recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted significant drops in reading and math achievement among U.S. students—a trend that began before the pandemic but has worsened in recent years. By limiting cell phone use, districts hope to keep students more focused and engaged in the classroom.
At present, there is no statewide ban in New Jersey, meaning parents must familiarize themselves with their child’s school policy regarding cell phone and social media use.
Expert Insights: The Role of Parents
Rutgers University Distinguished Professor Dafna Lemish, along with co-researcher Nelly Elias, has published multiple studies (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025) examining how parents’ own cell phone habits influence their children. The studies, conducted in natural settings such as restaurants and parks, reveal that children are heavily shaped by the behaviors they observe at home.
“The most important thing is for parents to serve as role models,” Lemish explained. “Don’t engage in the behaviors you expect your child not to do. For example, don’t bring your phone to the dinner table, and don’t disengage from social interaction by being overly focused on your phone. Parents should also reflect on their personal values when setting rules for cell phone use. Violence, bullying, racial, or gender discrimination should never be tolerated.”
Tips for Parents on Guiding Cell Phone Use
Lemish and her colleagues suggest several strategies for parents:
- Be aware of content — Know what your child is watching or engaging with on their phone. Ensure the material is age-appropriate and monitor usage regularly.
- Set limits on screen time — Children need clear boundaries on how long they can use their phones. Guidelines should be age-appropriate and consistent.
- Consider context — Cell phones can be positive or negative depending on how they’re used. Encourage healthy uses, such as talking with grandparents or friends, rather than passive scrolling.
- Account for maturity — Every child develops differently. Parents should assess whether their child is ready for a phone, and if so, what type of phone is appropriate.
- Encourage open communication — “The most important thing to do is to talk with your children about how they are using their phones and establish clear guidelines together,” Lemish emphasizes.
Candace Waller is the author of the novel What Goes Around Comes Around.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/What-Goes-Around-Comes/dp/1548281891
