NJ Gov. Phil Murphy proposes statewide smartphone ban in K-12 classrooms
NEW JERSEY -
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy delivered his final State of the State address before leaving office Tuesday afternoon.
During his address, he proposed a ban that would make all K-12 classrooms in the state phone free.
What we know:
Seeing the impact of smartphone use on his own teenage children, Murphy is proposing to ban device use in all K-12 classrooms across New Jersey.
More than 600 New Jersey School districts would be required to introduce policies to ban devices, but they would also be able to determine how the policies are implemented and enforced.
The backstory:
Citing distractions, cyberbullying and social media pressure, Murphy wants to join a growing number of states banning smartphones in classrooms.
Some local New Jersey districts like Cherry Hill and Woodbury have already banned smartphone and devices from the classrooms.
Some schools assign students smartphone pouches that are kept with them during the day but stay locked.
What they're saying:
"Every parent knows the damage these devices can cause. Enough is enough it is time for action" said Governor Murphy.
"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 added.
In a statement, President of New Jersey Education Association Sean Spiller released a statement saying:
"We also applaud Gov. Murphy for highlighting the concerns that so many educators and parents have about the detrimental effects of cellphones in classrooms. As New Jersey moves to limit the distraction that they pose during the school day, we call on the New Jersey Department of Education to issue guidelines directing districts to work with parents and educators in each community and at each school level to determine what specific policy will best serve students’ academic, safety and mental health needs. 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.
Local perspective:
"I can understand the distractions with phones in schools especially this time of age everyone is on social media and quick to record something" said Jamel Coley of Camden.
FOX 29 spoke with some New Jersey parents who had mixed feelings about their child giving up their phones in class.
"No I don’t agree with the Governor. I mean we don’t feel safe as it is in school with security" said parent Dominique Nguyen.
"If I want to be able to get in touch with my kid I should be able to" added Wesley Lebouef who has a 10-year-old son he plans to buy a smartphone for next year.
"I do agree there shouldn't be the distractions and they should be learning and not being on their cell phones" added Emilo Ramil of Bellmawr.
What's next:
If passed, the law would take effect immediately and be implemented by the fall of this year.
The Source: Information in this story is from Governor Murphy and his office.