New York State Governor Kathy Hochul plans to introduce a bill to ban smartphones in New York schools to “keep children safe and make sure their attention is on learning”.
Governor Hochul believes it can be harmful for kids to scroll through their social media feeds, especially in school. Hochul's proposed bill would prohibit students from bringing smartphones to school but would allow them to bring "flip phones" that can be used for texting and phone calls. This way, children can still reach their parents, and parents can be assured that lines of communication are open.
This comes amidst Governor Hochul’s larger efforts to protect kids from what some say are harmful effects of social media. The governor hopes to pass the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) Act in the next session. The SAFE Act places restrictions on social media feeds that she says can harm kids with addictive features and breach the privacy of minor children with data collection tools.
The ban on cell phones in New York City schools ended a decade ago. Hochul aims to reinstate the ban and expand it statewide in the next legislative session.
Some school leaders welcome it. "It is an issue I’m paying close attention to. I’m glad the governor is making it a priority and having everyone grapple with this,” Schools Chancellor David Banks said. “I get asked so often about mental health issues with kids and what programs we have and I will tell you, the phones seem to be at the top of the list of being problematic in schools."
"It's not surprising that some parents are pushing back. Data shows that about 25% of notifications to teens' phones come during school hours, with many coming from their parents. And, it's not all about parents trying to reach their kids in dangerous situations. Families have come to rely on cell phones for scheduling and other quick communications."
Right now, each school is responsible for setting its cell phone policy. Although many students expressed anxiety about not having their cell phones during the day, the majority said afterward that it was a good thing. The students stated that they engaged in more face-to-face conversations with their friends and were able to concentrate better on their schoolwork.
Hochul says she understands parents' concerns but believes her plan ensures connectivity with parents while safeguarding kids and maintaining focus at school.
“Let’s talk to parents, let’s talk to educators over the next year and consider some proposals to have more restrictions,” Hochul said. “I understand parents’ needs and their desire to stay connected during the day if there’s an emergency. The old-fashioned flip phone will do that if you want to text your family.”