Cell Phone and Social Media Policy S-3695 would require the NJDOE to develop a cell phone and social media usage policy and would require each board of education to adopt such a policy. Under the bill, the commissioner would develop a policy applicable to students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms. The amended bill clarifies that the commissioner shall consult with various stakeholders, including the NJSBA (New Jersey School Board Association), when creating the policy. At a minimum, the policy is to:
- Provide age appropriate and grade-level differentiated policies concerning limiting and prohibiting student use of cell phones and social media platforms.
- Prohibit non-academic use of a cell phone or social media during classroom instruction.
- Be consistent with state and federal law including accommodations provided in a student’s Individualized Education Program or educational plan.
- Permit student use of cell phones in the case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger.
- Permit student use of cell phones upon submission by a parent or guardian of documentation from a health care professional indicating that the use of a cell phone is necessary for the health or well-being of the student.
- Address smartphones, cell phones with only text or voice, and other relevant devices, including smart watches.
- List options that may be utilized by a school district for cell phone storage, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers.
- Provide guidance for a school district to establish network-based restrictions to prevent the use of, or access to, social media platforms.
- Detail protocols for communicating the district’s policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms to students, their families and teaching staff members.
The bill would also require each board of education to adopt a policy concerning student use of cell phones and social media platforms. The policy is to be consistent with the policy developed by the commissioner. Additionally, the bill would permit the commissioner to grant an exemption to a board of education for the requirement to adopt the policy upon submission of an application.
The NJSBA testified in support of the spirit and intent of the bill while also seeking amendments from the sponsor. The testimony included an acknowledgement that it would be appropriate for school districts to affirmatively address the use of cell phones in schools, but also cautioned that there should not be a prescriptive one-size-fits-all approach to creating a mandated statewide policy to be adopted by all boards of education. Rather, it is necessary and appropriate for boards of education to have flexibility in crafting their policies based on community preferences. The NJSBA recommended that the bill be amended to remove specific components required to be included in district policies, and instead have the commissioner create a model policy that boards may then refer to when forming their own individual district policies.
Reference: New Jersey School Board Association Legislative Update (December 10, 2024)
