North Carolina students will no longer be allowed to use cell phones or wireless devices in school, starting January 1, 2026.
Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 into law on Tuesday, requiring all public school boards to adopt matching policies.
The law prohibits the use of phones or other wireless devices during instructional time, unless specifically approved by a teacher for educational purposes or needed for a medical reason. Lawmakers say the goal is to improve focus in classrooms and reduce social media distractions among students.
Although districts must enforce the ban during class, most schools are still expected to allow students to bring phones to campus. School boards must approve updated policies before the next academic year begins.
In addition to the phone restrictions, the law requires schools to teach students about responsible social media use and strengthen digital security. These new lessons and safety measures are part of a broader push to improve learning environments statewide.
