North Carolina Schools to Enforce Statewide Phone Ban in Classrooms Starting Jan. 1
RALEIGH, N.C. — Beginning January 1, 2026, students across North Carolina will no longer be allowed to use their cell phones during class time under a new statewide law.
The measure, part of House Bill 959 signed this summer by Governor Josh Stein, requires all public school districts to adopt consistent policies restricting phone use during instructional hours.
Law Requires Uniform Policies
While many school districts already have their own phone-use restrictions, the new law makes them mandatory statewide.
At a minimum, the law requires:
- Phones must be prohibited during class time
- Exceptions are allowed for emergencies and health needs
- Districts must have policies in place no later than Jan. 1
The rules will not apply for the first half of the 2025–26 school year, giving schools time to implement their policies.
A Push for Focused Learning
Governor Stein praised the bipartisan measure, saying it will help teachers and students by cutting distractions.
“When teachers don’t have to compete with cell phones for student attention, real learning happens,” Stein said. “This bill gives students a distraction-free environment and a seven-hour mental break from the pressures of phones and social media.”
His Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-being recommended the change in its first report, which also outlined best practices for managing phone-free classrooms.
Looking Ahead
Districts will now finalize and roll out their plans, with signs pointing toward stricter classroom enforcement by the start of 2026.
Officials hope the policy shift will boost academic performance, mental health, and classroom engagement.
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