Overview

• North Carolina’s House Bill 959, signed July 8, requires public schools to enact cellphone restrictions by Jan. 1, 2026, under statewide policies aimed at reducing in-class distractions.
• The new North Carolina law mandates social media literacy courses once in elementary school, once in middle school and twice in high school, covering mental health, misinformation and online safety.
• On July 9, the Massachusetts Senate Education Committee advanced S 2549 to impose a bell-to-bell ban on personal electronic devices in public schools by the 2026–27 school year.
• Massachusetts’s proposal includes carve-outs for emergencies, health and safety needs, special education and English language learners and ensures methods for parent-student communication.
• Supporters in both states say the measures will foster focused learning environments and address youth well-being while giving districts flexibility to tailor local enforcement.