North Carolina
Parents, social media experts weigh in on new bill restricting phones in NC classrooms
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Parents and social media experts are weighing in on new legislation that restricts phone use in North Carolina’s public schools and requires schools to teach social media literacy to students. That bill, HB 959, was passed last month and signed into law by Governor Josh Stein on July 1st. It takes effect at the beginning of 2026.
While HB 959 outlines those restrictions on phone use — requiring those devices to be switched off during instructional time, with exceptions for emergencies and when the student has a medical exemption — it leaves policy specifics and enforcement largely to individual school boards.
“I think curbing phone usage is a good, good thing, especially with teenagers,” said Kevin Long, father of two Wake County high school students.
Long said he’s learned how challenging it can be to keep teenagers off their phones, including while at school.
“When we found out that our kids were using it during school, I mean, it got taken away because it’s like, you can’t do this. You’ve got to pay attention. You’re here for learning,” he said.
Long said he has concerns over the lack of funding laid out in the bill, but he supports the intent — and also appreciates efforts to instruct kids on best practices for navigating social media.
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“Making them aware that it’s forever, I think, would probably be one of the best things — that anything that you put out there is forever — and that you also can’t trust everything that’s out there,” Long said.
Those social media literacy courses outlined in HB 959 would explain the potential negative effects of social media and better train students on how to avoid risky behavior online in the hope of equipping them to use social media safely. Carly Morgan with The Social Institute in Durham says it’s a positive step.
“Social media is how students are social, and it’s here to stay. And so it’s really helping students navigate that world that they’re already living in and have been free in healthy, high-character ways,” Morgan said.
The Social Institute works to empower families to harness the positives of social media, giving kids and parents tools to navigate the digital world. Morgan says rather than implement policies that scare or restrict, HB 959 provides an opportunity to start important conversations around social media.
“We believe that it’s an important partnership between the families and the schools to be on the same page and teaching students that not everything is perfect or not everything is safe out there,” she said.
HB 959 requires school boards across the state to develop policies that fit the new law — which takes effect on January 1st, 2026, and will require those boards to establish penalties for possible violations.
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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