Governor Hochul Considers Banning Cell Phones in Schools Statewide
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — NEWS10’s sister station, NewsChannel 9, spoke one-on-one with Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday to address a variety of her current projects, including sending refund checks to New Yorkers and considerations to ban cell phones in schools statewide.
Background on the Issue
Hochul said the idea of limiting cell phone use in schools goes back more than two years. She said: "…we were seeing a high number of teenagers and even pre-teenagers dealing with mental health challenges that we’d never seen the likes of before. So you have to peel back and find out what’s going on."
Governor’s Concerns
During the day, cell phones are a huge distraction and a barrier to the normal growth of a young person, said Hochul. She shared what she learned on a listening tour that reached all ten regions of New York. As she considers a statewide ban, she knows some parents will be worried about being less able to reach their children, especially in the event of an emergency.
Law Enforcement’s Advice
The last thing you want to have happen is your child is distracted, videoing this, communicating with their friends, sending you messages. Your child is safest if they’re laser-focused on the adult in the room who will lead them to safety. Once I heard that, that was an aha moment for me, said Hochul, citing law enforcement’s advice.
Consultation with Parents
Hochul said she wants to get more understanding and support from parents before announcing her final determination. She is still gathering information, but what she’s hearing is: the best way to do this, to make it effective, so all of our students are being treated the same, is to have a statewide policy on this, that’s what I’m developing right now.
Current Status
NewsChannel 9 asked: "Would this be an overarching ban from state government?" The governor responded: "This is something that a lot of school districts have asked for. There’s a lot of pressure on superintendents, principals and school boards. They know this should happen, they really do. But it’s hard to be the first or only one."
Example of School District’s Success
Hochul referenced the Schoharie Central School District which instituted its own ban of phones. If you talk to that superintendent, they wish they had done it a long time ago, said Hochul.
Conclusion
Governor Hochul is considering a statewide ban on cell phones in schools, citing the distraction and potential harm caused by their use during school hours. She is seeking to gather more understanding and support from parents before making a final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the pending decision on banning cell phones in schools?
A: Governor Hochul is still gathering information and considering a statewide ban.
Q: Will this be an overarching ban from state government?
A: Yes, Governor Hochul is considering an overarching ban from state government.
Q: Why is Governor Hochul considering this ban?
A: To address the distraction and potential harm caused by cell phones during school hours.
Q: What is the reason behind the proposed refund checks?
A: The state has collected more sales tax than planned due to inflation, and Governor Hochul wants to return the extra funds to taxpayers.
