On Thursday, Jan. 15, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) released updated Guidance for Schools on Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices to assist local boards of education as they adopt bell-to-bell policies prohibiting student use of cell phones and other internet-enabled devices during the school day.
Recently signed legislation (P.L.2025, c.195) requires each local board of education to adopt such bell-to-bell policies prohibiting students’ non-academic use of cell phones and personal internet-enabled devices during the school day, with certain exceptions, by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year. Local bell-to-bell policies must align with NJDOE guidance.
The guidance provides examples of storage options, such as locked pouch systems, school-managed lockers or bins, classroom-based storage, or student-managed storage such as backpacks or lockers. While all boards of education are required to adopt a bell-to-bell policy that complies with state law, districts will retain flexibility in determining how their policies will be implemented and will be able to make decisions on device storage, supervision, and enforcement that best fit their local needs.
The guidance outlines statutory requirements, policy considerations, and implementation strategies, and includes developmentally appropriate recommendations across various grade levels.
