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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a plan to ban smartphones, watches, and tablets in all K-12 schools across the state. Starting next school year, students will be required to hand over their devices for the entire school day, including lunch and study hall. The proposal, unveiled during Hochul's budget address in Albany, aims to create a distraction-free learning environment and improve students' mental health and social interactions.
Schools will have the flexibility to decide how to store the devices, with options like phone lock pouches or cubbies. The state has allocated over $13 million to assist schools with this transition. Exceptions will be made for students needing devices for medical reasons, language translation, or educational purposes.
Governor Hochul emphasized that the ban will help students focus on learning, free from the distractions of social media. "Our kids will finally be freed from the endless disruptions of social media and all the mental health pressures that come from it," she said.
The proposal has received a warm reception from state legislative leaders and educators. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie supports the initiative, stating that cellphones can be very distracting in schools. The United Federation of Teachers also backs the plan, with President Michael Mulgrew noting the negative impact of cellphones in classrooms.
Research shows that most parents support some form of phone restriction during school hours. A Pew Research Center survey found that 65% of parents favor a phone ban during class for middle and high school students.
The plan is part of Hochul's $252 billion state budget proposal and is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, just in time for the 2025-26 school year.