'There's a time and place for everything,' NC School districts enforce new cellphone rules
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- As students return to classrooms Monday, school districts across North Carolina are implementing new policies that restrict cellphone use during instructional time under a state law that took effect this school year.
The law, signed in 2025, requires all school districts in the state to adopt policies prohibiting student cellphone use during instructional time. Exceptions are allowed for health plans, emergencies, educational plans and other reasons.
For many parents, the new rules reinforce a message they have long shared with their children.
"There's a time and place for everything. Your phone should not be out in the classroom during instructional time," said Brittnee Kelly, a Durham parent.
School officials say the goal is to keep technology focused on learning.
"We're here to learn and we want to use technology for the purpose of learning," said Chanel Sidbury, Assistant Superintendent for Continuous Improvement and School Supports for Durham Public Schools.
Districts are taking different approaches to implement the law.
In Cumberland County Schools, cellphone access varies by grade level.
"Our elementary students can bring their devices to school, but those devices should be off and put away during the day. But at our middle and high schools, students are able to utilize their devices, during the lunch periods, and if there's some time between classes," said Melody Chalmers McClain, Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services for Cumberland County Schools.
Similar rules apply in Wake County, though individual schools may have their own procedures for managing student devices.
At Green Hope High School, students have been placing their phones in classroom caddies during class for the past three years.
"We purchased a cell phone caddy for every teacher's classroom. They hang in the front of the room so that the students and the teachers can see at all times," said Principal Alison Cleveland.
Cleveland said changing student behavior takes time.
"We have to teach the behavior, we have to change the habits that have been ingrained over the years, especially once they're getting to 17, 18 years old, and they've had these cell phones for six, seven, eight years," she said.
Durham Public Schools says its updated policy centers on three objectives.
"Number one is we want to protect the learning environment. Number two, we want to create socio-emotional learning so students can build connections. And then also we want to make sure that we're building healthy digital access habits," Sidbury said.
Some parents support the effort to limit classroom distractions while also wanting students to be able to reach family members when necessary.
"Be accessible for emergencies. Obviously if a teacher can't get in contact with me, school can't get in contact, I think that would be appropriate," Kelly said.
School officials said specific rules on cellphone storage and handling may vary by campus. Parents and students are encouraged to check with their local school district and school administrators for any additional requirements before classes begin Monday.
