Governor Hochul Unveils Plan to Restrict Smartphone Use in Schools Statewide and Ensure Distraction-Free Learning in New York

NYSUT President Melinda Person said, “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.”

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said, “The UFT supports a statewide cell phone ban, with safeguards, because educators see the negative impact of cell phones in their classroom every day. The safeguards include ways for parents to reach students; funding for school districts to implement a plan; uniform disciplinary policies; and plans that don’t make educators the first and only line of enforcement. We believe Governor Hochul understands these concerns and we look forward to working with her and the legislature to make this happen.”

NYS PTA Vice President and Parent from Yonkers Roberto Rijos said, “As a father of three, my wife and I fully understand the concerns regarding smartphone usage in classrooms and schools. Our classrooms and schools must remain places of learning, collaboration, and cooperation where our students continue to thrive — free from unnecessary distractions. We thank Governor Hochul for truly listening to parents, families, educators, students, NYS PTA and other stakeholders in drafting this legislation — which balances common sense limitations to support in-class learning and socialization, and includes allowances for necessary usage of devices in certain instances, all while ensuring local control and feedback in development of local policies. The health, wellness, and mental health of our children is of highest priority, and we stand ready to be a partner to Measure our Mission for Every Child, with One Voice.”

Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) Founder and Executive Director Julie Scelfo said, “Many of us thought we could give our kids these tech products and teach them how to use them safely, but there is no 'safe' when they're designed to be addictive. Smartphones distract kids and make it harder for them to focus and learn, and also displace critical real-life experiences and interactions that are essential for healthy development. We applaud Governor Hochul’s proposed legislation to provide consistent, statewide restrictions on smartphone use during the school day, safeguarding students and supporting authentic, distraction-free learning in our schools.”

Eighth Grade Farnsworth Middle School Student Anika Bhupati said, “Focusing in school and getting involved in activities is just easier without the constant distraction of apps and phones. I think it’s great that Governor Hochul is helping more kids to get away from all the scrolling and get back to exploring our real interests and having fun with friends.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The use of mobile phones by students during a quickly developing school emergency is a distraction that could compromise the safety of students and school staff. State Police and local law enforcement will support school districts as they implement new cell phone policies as part of their school safety plans.”

NAACP New York State Conference Education Chair Christine Waters said, “The NAACP New York State Conference is supportive of Governor Hochul's initiative to restrict Smartphone use in schools statewide to remove distractions and create an optimal learning environment in our schools that puts New York's children in a position to succeed academically. We look forward to working collectively with parents, students, teachers and school administrators to develop consistently applied policies that follow a statewide standard utilizing Best Practice Models that encourage responsible use of technology and supports the needs of our students and teachers. We believe firmly that we must do so without adding to the Codes of Conduct any additional obstacles to the academic pursuits of students such as the inclusion of zero tolerance policies that would see them removed from the classroom for any amount of time.”

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “If students are distracted in the classroom, they’re not learning. As we strive to help every student in New York reach their full potential, meaningfully reducing the use of cell phones in classrooms is a critical and long-overdue step. Firm and sensible cellphone restrictions are essential to creating learning environments where students can focus and ultimately thrive. These policy proposals are the careful result of a powerful coalition of parents, teachers, school staff, and experts, delivering tangible strategies for school districts and teachers to begin reducing cell phone use in the classroom. I'm looking forward to working with Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the state legislature to get this done this year for our parents, teachers, and students.”