Cherry Hill School District Bans Cell Phones in Classrooms

The Cherry Hill School District has enacted a policy banning cell phone and wireless device use in classrooms, effective September 3, 2024, following extensive community feedback that indicated strong support for such measures. Students are required to keep their devices silenced and stored away during class, although they can use them during lunch, recess, and on the bus, with some exceptions for health-related needs. Superintendent Dr. Kwame Morton emphasized that the policy aims to mitigate distractions and improve student wellness, citing research linking excessive phone use to negative impacts on learning and mental health. Similarly, the Mt. Pleasant Board of Education will implement a similar policy starting August 27, aimed at reducing distractions and promoting better focus on education. The combined efforts reflect a growing trend across various school districts in New Jersey to limit cell phone use in classrooms, as studies indicate that such devices can hinder academic performance and contribute to mental health issues among students. Other districts, including those using locking pouches for devices, are also instituting strict measures to address the challenges posed by cell phone usage in educational settings.