New Statewide School Cell Phone Policy Announced
Goal is to Protect Mental Health and Improve Student Learning
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide plan to restrict the use of devices such as smartphones, smart watches, and tablets in K-12 schools throughout the entire school day.
Mental Health Concerns and Learning Distrustions
The new policy aims to protect the mental health of children by reducing access to social media platforms and improve student learning by limiting distractions in the classroom. Hochul stated, “To do what we can to help our children learn, to help our teachers teach, and to create an environment where our children can grow up free from the distractions and the mental health challenges that come with being addicted to social media algorithms and platforms.”
Implementation Details
Schools will be given the flexibility to create their own plan for implementing the new policy and will be required to provide parents a way to contact their children during the school day. The state budget allocates $13.5 million for device storage solutions, such as pouches and cubbies.
Impact on Students
Anika Bhupati, an 8th grade student at Farnsworth Middle School, has already experienced the benefits of the ban. She noted, “Since the bans have been in place, it’s definitely much more louder. Everyone’s talking. Everyone’s gaining like a lot of more friends and like making stronger relationships with their teachers and everyone around them.” Bhupati emphasized that the ban is not about taking something away, but rather giving students the opportunity to focus on human connection.
Fully Implementing the Policy
The plan will apply to all schools in public districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) programs. The policy will be in place starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
NYSUT President Melinda Person praised the policy, saying, “Today marks a pivotal step in our push to create distraction-free learning environments, ensuring our schools are sanctuaries for learning, growth and genuine connection. This movement is growing larger and stronger every day, and has brought together parents, teachers, law enforcement, and local officials who all recognize the crucial importance of giving children a school day free from the pressures of social media and other distractions. I want to thank Gov. Hochul for keeping student mental health a top priority, and for her clear dedication to the success and well-being of the next generation.”
Governor Hochul’s announcement is a significant step towards creating a distraction-free learning environment in New York State. The policy aims to protect the mental health of students and improve their academic performance. With the implementation of the plan, schools will be given the flexibility to create their own solutions and will be required to provide parents a way to contact their children during the school day.
* When will the new policy be in place? – The policy will be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year.
* What devices are covered under the policy? – The policy applies to all devices, including smartphones, smart watches, and tablets.
* Will parents have access to contact their children during the school day? – Yes, schools will be required to provide parents a way to contact their children during the school day.
* What funding is allocated for the policy? – The state budget allocates $13.5 million for device storage solutions.
