NC Gov signs bill into law that bans cellphones in classrooms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina is putting an end to cellphones in the classroom. “I think that’s great,” says mom Dorothy McMillan.

The new law is creating a conversation about the need for phone in schools.

“They have to understand that kids need their parents. Kids need their phone. It’s a reason for them to have a phone,” says mom Destiny Herron.

NC Governor Josh Stein signed into law a bill that prohibits students from using, displaying, or having a wireless communication device turned on during instructional time, unless given permission by a teacher.

“Cell phones are a big distraction in general,” says McMillan.

Stein agrees. In a statement, the Governor writes “When teachers don’t have to compete with cell phones for student attention, real learning happens.”

The phones may distract students, but some parents want to be able to get a hold of their kids in case of an emergency.

Herron says, “Your kids could have health problems, health issues, it could be emergency. Anything could go wrong. So you would need to have your phone to be in school with your kids.”

The bill also requires school to put a social media literacy class on the curriculum starting for the 2026-27 school year. Students of all grades will be taught the impacts social media can have on mental health.

“I do think that’s a wise decision. Especially with all the things that go on unnoticed by parents with social media,” says McMillan.

The cellphone ban goes into effect at the start of 2026. McMillan question how the schools will enforce the new law. She says, “I was a kid once. I mean, you can try to control young kids, but at the end of the day, they’ll figure it out how to get around things just like adults do.”

WCCB reached out to CMS and the North Carolina Association of Educators asking how they believe this new law will be enforced. They have not sent over a comment yet.