South Brunswick Reminds Families Of New Cell Phone Ban Ahead Of School Year

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick students returning to class this fall will find a new statewide restriction in place: New Jersey's "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban, which prohibits non-academic use of cell phones and other internet-enabled devices throughout the entire school day.

South Brunswick Township Public Schools Superintendent Bernard F. Bragen Jr. reminded families of the new policy in a welcome letter sent to the community on Wednesday, ahead of the new school year.

"As a reminder, all students attending public schools in New Jersey will not be permitted to use cell phones at any time during the school day," Bragen wrote, adding that specific guidance would be shared at the building level. He directed families with questions to contact his office or their child's school directly.

The law, known as Chapter 195, was signed by then-Gov. Phil Murphy on Jan. 8, 2026, after passing the state Senate unanimously, 37-0. It requires all New Jersey K-12 public school districts to restrict students' use of personal cell phones, smart watches, tablets and other internet-enabled devices from the first bell to the last, including during lunch periods, class transitions, school bus rides and school-sponsored events. The law takes effect with the start of the 2026-27 school year.

The New Jersey Department of Education released statewide guidelines on Jan. 15, to help local school boards develop policies aligned with the law. While districts are required to adopt bell-to-bell restrictions, they retain some flexibility in implementation, including how devices are stored during the day. The law includes exemptions for medical needs, such as diabetes monitoring, as well as for language translation and emergencies.

New Jersey joins at least 14 other states, including New York, that have imposed restrictions on non-academic cell phone use during the school day. Florida was the first state to enact such a ban, in 2023. Lawmakers who backed the New Jersey law said it is intended to reduce classroom distractions, improve student focus and increase face-to-face interaction among students.

Bragen’s letter also announced the district's new theme for the 2026-27 school year, "Changing the World One Child at a Time."

"We chose this profession because we believe in children, and we believe in your children," Bragen wrote in the letter to the district community. He said the district is inviting families to take part in the theme through encouragement at home, partnership with teachers and involvement in the school community.

Additional information about the first day of school, schedules and important dates will be sent from each school's principal in the coming days, according to the letter.

The first day of school for students is Sept. 3.

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