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North Carolina Enacts School Cellphone Ban as Massachusetts Panel Advances Bell-to-Bell Device Restrictions

Lawmakers argue that pairing stricter rules with digital literacy instruction improves student focus, protecting mental health.

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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.