North Carolina Schools to Enforce Cellphone Ban in Classrooms Under New Law

RALEIGH, N.C. — On July 1, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 into law, introducing new restrictions on cell phone use in public school classrooms across the state. The legislation, titled "Protecting Students in a Digital Age," aims to reduce distractions and foster a more focused learning environment by regulating the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.

The new law mandates that all public-school districts and charter schools in North Carolina adopt policies by January 1, 2026, that prohibit students from using or displaying cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other wireless devices during class, unless explicitly permitted for educational purposes or in emergencies. The legislation also addresses concerns about social media, banning access to platforms like TikTok on school-owned devices or networks and requiring schools to incorporate social media literacy into their curricula to educate students about the risks of online addiction and misinformation.

Governor Stein emphasized the benefits of the policy, stating, “When teachers don’t have to compete with cell phones for student attention, real learning happens.” The move comes amid growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on students’ academic performance and mental health, with studies citing distractions and issues like cyberbullying as key challenges. North Carolina joins at least 27 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing similar restrictions, reflecting a nationwide push to address these concerns.The law allows exemptions for specific circumstances, such as when students need devices to manage health conditions, like monitoring blood glucose levels. However, some school districts with stricter existing policies may need to adjust to meet the new state requirements, which mandate that devices be turned off during instructional time unless authorized.

The bill received near-unanimous support from state legislators, signaling broad agreement on the need to curb classroom distractions. Additionally, the law requires schools to establish consequences for policy violations and implement internet safety measures to further protect students in the digital age.

This legislation marks one of several bills signed by Governor Stein on July 1, including measures to improve childcare access and reform state hiring processes. As North Carolina prepares for the 2025-2026 school year, educators and administrators are gearing up to implement these changes, aiming to create a more conducive environment for student success