Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday advocated for restricting smartphone use in K-12 schools statewide, citing excessive cell phone use as a factor negatively impacting learning and children's mental health.
“From parents and teachers, to social justice and law enforcement leaders, New Yorkers agree that our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said through a press release. “Using the insights from my statewide listening tour, this comprehensive proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools will ensure that New York’s statewide standard for distraction-free learning delivers the best results for our kids and educators.”
She proposed new legislation that would include:
- No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day, including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods.
- Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students.
- Proposes $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free.
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.
Simple cell phones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by the school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans, would be allowed.
Students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program, or for other academic purposes, such as translation, would be exempt from the restriction, the governor said.
This new requirement would be in place starting in the 2025-26 School Year and would apply to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.
