The Newark Future Policymakers Program, in its fifth year now, is an immersive advocacy training initiative that empowers local youth to shape civic policies. Fellows analyze real-world urban issues, build professional organizing skills, and drive meaningful, community-led change. Read about the fellows in this year’s cohort. Sheguyma Bazile Read about me Sheguyma is a first-year […]
Category: Positive Youth Development
Murphy Signs Critical Legislation Before Leaving Office
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Before the Murphy administration concluded, several critical pieces of legislation were signed into law. “Bell-to-Bell” Cell Phone Ban: Effective for the 2026-27 school year, this law restricts student phone use during school hours. The policy reflects recommendations from the Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, of which […]
Murphy Signs Legislation Addressing Student Phone Use in Schools
On January 8th, Governor Murphy signed what his administration calls a bell-to-bell cell phone ban into law, which will take effect during the 2026-27 school year. This law requires “guidelines on student use of internet-enabled devices to be developed by the New Jersey Department of Education,” with each public school’s governing body adopting corresponding policies. This […]
Newark Kids Count Data Snapshot: Positive Youth Development
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Download Data Snapshot Newark Data Snapshots 2025 Newark Kids Count Reports Advocates for Children of New Jersey provides a snapshot of positive youth development in Newark by examining several data indicators that provide insight on how youth in Newark are faring, including chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and juvenile arrests, all of […]
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents
ACNJ served on New Jersey’s Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, which examined how social media impacts young people. The Commission published recommendations aimed at preserving social media’s benefits while reducing potential harms – including banning cellphones at school and delaying social media access until age 16. More in the News: […]
