New Poll Shows Where NJ Stands On A Cell Phone Ban In School

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — As Governor Phil Murphy pushes to get cell phones banned in Garden State schools, a new poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University has shown residents split on the topic.

"The biggest driver of views on a cell phone ban is age. Fully 70 percent of the youngest voters – those 30 and under – oppose a ban; among the oldest voters (those 65 and up), this is basically flipped, with 65 percent supporting a ban," according to a statement by Dan Cassino, Executive Director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University poll and a professor of government and politics at the university.

“The generation gap in politics is real, and I can’t think of a better example,” he added. “Of course, politics tends to be much more likely to follow the wishes of older voters than younger ones.”

In the State of the State address on Jan. 14, Governor Phil Murphy laid out his plan for keeping cell phones out of New Jersey classrooms.

“If you ask just about any educator, they will tell you that mobile devices are a distraction in the classroom, that 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 in his speech.

A Pew Research Center survey found that 68 percent of adults in the United States support banning cell phone usage during class, but only 36 percent support a full-day ban.

Cherry Hill is just one of several school districts that have implemented this initiative and are currently restricting the use of cell phones in classrooms. However, the debate over bans and restrictions when it comes to students' cell phones remains divided.

According to a survey completed by Kwame Morton of the Cherry Hill School Board in 2024, parents with students in Cherry Hill schools voted in the majority to only allow cell phones in schools for emergency use and for students to be able to contact their parents.

"There is also a sentiment that banning phones entirely is unrealistic and that students should be taught responsible use instead," Morton said in the Engagement Summary presentation of the survey.

"A significant number of respondents expressed concerns about cell phones being a major distraction in the classroom," Morton added, "However, they also acknowledge that completely banning cell phones may not be feasible."

Morristown High School and Mountain View Middle School in Mendham have also implemented restrictions on cellphone usage in schools, with a new requirement for students to turn off their personal devices during school hours.

Where New Jersey voters do agree is on limiting where advertisements for gambling are shown.

According to the Fairleigh Dickinson University poll, 76 percent support limiting these ads, and only 17 percent oppose. Similar to the results of the survey on cellphone restrictions, 79 percent of older voters favor limits, compared to 70 percent of younger voters.