TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey school testing grades are down. Mental health issues among teens and students across the state are at an all-time high. Now, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is blaming cell phones.
During his “State of the State” speech, the governor attributed cell phones in schools to distractions and performance in the state education system.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced his support for a proposal to ban cell phones in all New Jersey K-12 classrooms, citing growing concerns over student distraction and mental health. The governor said cell phone usage is a factor in the mental health decline of New Jersey children. Many credit the overall decline with Murphy’s prolonged school closures and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Murphy did not mention COVID-19 once in his entire speech.
Speaking on the issue, Murphy pointed to the negative impact of mobile devices on learning and behavior in schools. “Unfortunately, as I can attest as a parent, in recent years, we have seen a new obstacle emerge when it comes to our children’s education: cell phones,” Murphy said.
The governor linked increased smartphone use to rising cyberbullying incidents and challenges in classroom focus. “They are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn,” he added.
Murphy officially endorsed legislation that would require New Jersey school districts to implement policies restricting cell phone use, aiming to create “phone-free schools.”
“Today, our children are inundated with screens. And if you ask just about any educator, they will tell you that mobile devices are a distraction in the classroom. 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,” Murphy said. “Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis? Of course not. And I — for one — am not going to sit back as our kids suffer.”
He also recognized Senator Paul Moriarty and Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie for their leadership in advancing the proposal. “Enough is enough. It is time for action,” Murphy said.
