When New Hampshire's bell-to-bell phone ban goes into effect this fall, it will bring about the most significant statewide educational change since the pandemic shutdown.
Disconnected is a four-part Concord Monitor series about how the ban will affect four groups of people: students, teachers, parents and school administrators.
This summer, the Monitor will sit down with representatives from each group for a candid conversation about phone use and the impending ban.
Want to participate? Email Jeremy Margolis at [email protected]
‘Over-regulation is going to create sneakier kids’
Concord High students react to proposed bell-to-bell phone ban
June 28, 2025
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
The students were clear-eyed about the negative effects of their phone use and most of them believed their high school should adopt a stricter policy than they currently enforce. But they were deeply skeptical about a bell-to-bell ban, which would also prohibit phone use during other portions of the day, including at lunch and during passing periods.
One student predicted the lack of phones during lunch would increase disruptions. All students were confident that classmates would flout an all-day ban by bringing in two phones.
Their recommendation for administrators and school boards: If you have to implement a bell-to-bell ban, make it as lenient as the new law allows.
‘ENTIRE PARADIGM HAS TO SHIFT’
Majority of parents express support for phone ban, but predict rocky rollout
July 26, 2025
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
All four parents said they were in favor of a statewide ban on personal electronic devices during instructional time, but one parent said she opposed prohibiting devices outside of class.
Despite their general support for the new law, the parents expressed serious concerns about its implementation, criticized the state for not providing any financial backing to facilitate the change and predicted the rollout would be rocky.
'CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC'
Majority of parents express support for phone ban, but predict rocky rollout
July 26, 2025
By JEREMY MARGOLIS
Teachers will soon return to school buildings transformed by this new law. As school districts scramble to develop policies ahead of the first day of classes, the Concord Monitor gathered four teachers for a conversation about their hopes and fears regarding the ban.
While largely supportive of the new law, some of the teachers worried about enforcement, expressing concern that it would be another responsibility that will fall on them. The group also expressed disappointment that the state failed to provide more policy guidance and financial resources to support the change.
