{"id":202406,"date":"2025-09-05T13:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/202406\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:29:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:29:08","slug":"jersey-city-considers-classroom-cellphone-ban-what-parents-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/202406\/","title":{"rendered":"Jersey City considers classroom cellphone ban: What parents should know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"VSOITSUGP5D5RCRUDHA5EEJUEU\">Jersey City students <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/09\/nj-is-pouring-12b-into-schools-this-year-see-if-your-district-a-winner-or-facing-cuts.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/09\/nj-is-pouring-12b-into-schools-this-year-see-if-your-district-a-winner-or-facing-cuts.html\">returned to school<\/a> this week as school district officials are mulling a big change to the district\u2019s cellphone policy. <\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"KIEQMEX3KBH2BFJ4GRSMYOEGOQ\">Cellphones and other personal communications devices will be prohibited in classrooms, with some exceptions, under a district-wide policy proposed by the school board.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"JWG2XA6HGNE7XKLQX4XQPHQDZY\">Students would still be allowed to use cellphones during lunch and recess periods, but not during bathroom breaks, according to the plan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"C3BERRLG4BG37NIG5OKIEHO2KU\">The policy was introduced at a school board meeting last week and could be up for a vote at the next board meeting on Sept. 18. <\/p>\n<ul class=\"article__unordered-list\">\n<li id=\"H5GVE7RH45BPLIZVSCYFEEAK4A\"><b>MORE: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/01\/nj-school-districts-already-cracking-down-on-cellphones-amid-call-for-statewide-ban.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/01\/nj-school-districts-already-cracking-down-on-cellphones-amid-call-for-statewide-ban.html\"><b>N.J. school districts already cracking down on cellphones amid call for statewide ban<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"YQTVRT3G7FGMFN5CHIVQHQFDVA\">Jersey City is the latest school district to consider restrictions on classroom use of cellphones, eight months after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/politics\/2025\/01\/gov-murphy-calls-for-classroom-ban-on-cell-phones-in-nj.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/politics\/2025\/01\/gov-murphy-calls-for-classroom-ban-on-cell-phones-in-nj.html\">Gov. Phil Murphy<\/a> called for a statewide ban.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"DREVJ4S6UZCEVCQ7GV2F3KOKYY\">A new statewide policy in New York <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/09\/04\/nyregion\/first-day-of-school-smartphones.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/09\/04\/nyregion\/first-day-of-school-smartphones.html\">bars unsanctioned use of cellphones<\/a> and other devices for the entire school day. The policy, backed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, debuted Thursday in New York City as students returned to classes. <\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"MQLAFY66AFH6TMPE6KA5Q3JURQ\">Many of New Jersey\u2019s approximately 600 public school districts restrict cellphone use in classrooms, but the policies and possible punishments vary. Some require students to keep their phones off and out of sight, while others provide locations for the devices to be stored during the school day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"UF55C5O2CVEJFHF4FAELRPIWEU\">Thursday was the first day of classes in Jersey City, the second-largest city in New Jersey. Its school district has approximately 27,000 students attending more than three dozen schools.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"KKVCTJJYOFFPZHICCTCDHPERXY\">Jersey City officials and residents have been discussing possible restrictions on cellphones for more than a year. The talks are part of a nationwide debate on whether <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/01\/another-nj-high-school-starts-locking-up-student-cell-phones.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/01\/another-nj-high-school-starts-locking-up-student-cell-phones.html\">phones and other personal communication devices<\/a> are detracting from academic performance and worsening bullying and other problems.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"YYF34VKDZRAIVGCH4YP74F6L4U\">Students would be banned from \u201cusing or accessing\u201d their devices during instructional time and prohibited from accessing social media platforms, according to the Jersey City proposal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"5VPAQEOMZBHHJHFBCYOGPR6OKA\">Similar to cellphone restrictions in other districts, the Jersey City plan includes exemptions for students with disabilities or health issues. <\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"H2JDZTOVFZGAXKDIEQCVTDYAW4\">The Jersey City <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/hudson\/2024\/12\/jersey-city-schools-plan-to-adopt-districtwide-cellphone-limits-in-2025.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/hudson\/2024\/12\/jersey-city-schools-plan-to-adopt-districtwide-cellphone-limits-in-2025.html\">school board voted<\/a> in December to authorize schools superintendent Norma Fernandez and the board\u2019s lawyer to draft a policy for consideration.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"O64NR27BK5BCPHT2BO77C3J7AQ\">Fernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"R32LSENH4ZDTHBY3A2OJWVTLK4\">Jersey City launched a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/hudson\/2024\/09\/two-jersey-city-public-schools-pilot-plan-to-remove-cellphones-from-classrooms-will-district-follow-suit.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/hudson\/2024\/09\/two-jersey-city-public-schools-pilot-plan-to-remove-cellphones-from-classrooms-will-district-follow-suit.html\">pilot program<\/a> limiting cellphone use at two schools more than a year ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"2T2TORHNNRE4RMVMOIB6CGYLKE\">One of the schools partnered with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.overyondr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Yondr<\/a>, a San Francisco-based company that offers a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/essex\/2018\/01\/lockable_cellphone_pouches_used_to_curb_tardiness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">lockable pouch for cellphones<\/a>. The pouch renders a cellphone unusable until the pouch is tapped on an unlocking base.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"JKNCZ7LE45CVXJUA4X57CXHVPQ\">However, Jersey City\u2019s newly proposed policy does not require pouches or the use of a specific vendor or approach to curtailing the use of cellphones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"M3FC64IEFVDFPNV3V4CBB2YZZI\">School administrators would have the option of requiring phones stored in backpacks or a storage unit, according to the plan. Devices would be turned off, or placed on airplane mode.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"WKWWLC2YB5BOZBZ7MTXB2BQHOA\">Devices could be confiscated from students who violate the policy until the end of the day, according to the proposal. Repeated violations might result in disciplinary action, though the plan doesn\u2019t give any details about punishments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"IM2UZD7NYNEWXCE454KGGA5JXY\">Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust.<\/p>\n<p class=\"article__paragraph article__paragraph--left\" id=\"BJV4XZIGMFHM5EK6AWF7RC74XE\">Rob Jennings may be reached at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nj.com\/education\/2025\/09\/mailto:rjennings@njadvancemedia.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">rjennings@njadvancemedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.advancelocal.com\/advancelocalUserAgreement\/user-agreement.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.advancelocal.com\/advancelocalUserAgreement\/privacy-policy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jersey City students returned to school this week as school district officials are mulling a big change to&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":202407,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5122],"tags":[5229,405,403,5226,5225,5228,5227,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-202406","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-new-york","10":"tag-new-york-city","11":"tag-newyork","12":"tag-newyorkcity","13":"tag-ny","14":"tag-nyc","15":"tag-united-states","16":"tag-united-states-of-america","17":"tag-unitedstates","18":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","19":"tag-us","20":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202406"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202406\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}