Governor Kathy Hochul launched a push to restrict smartphone use in K-12 schools statewide, including public schools across Suffolk County.
Our neighboring Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association does not think that a one-size-fits all smart phone ban is the way to go.
“From parents and teachers to social justice and law enforcement leaders, New Yorkers agree that our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Governor Hochul said. “Using the insights from my statewide listening tour, this comprehensive proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools will ensure that New York’s statewide standard for distraction-free learning delivers the best results for our kids and educators.”
When a ban was first proposed a variety of objections came up including parents who are concerned about being able to contact their child in an emergency or, god forbid, if a violent incident should occur. Those concerns remain. If a statewide ban goes into effect, the devil will be in the details on how this is managed and implemented.
“Our Association believes any policy regarding cell phone bans in the classroom should be left up to local boards of education to develop, implement, and enforce,” said Bob Vecchio, Executive Director. “We oppose a statewide policy or law on what should be a local decision, and if a statewide law is enacted it must have a lot of flexibility for local control and input. “
Students at the William Floyd High School agree that a ban that treats all students and school the same way is overreach. Olivia Phillips, a senior at William Floyd High School, said, “I think that our schools know what is best for their student body. They have direct contact with parents and teachers who can give meaningful input.
Phillips added, “Putting a statewide ban in place is taking away school and family autonomy in decisions that directly impact them.”
The Governor’s proposal would still allow simple cell phones without internet capability. The basic elements of the plan are:
* No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day, including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods.
* Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students.
* Proposes $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free.
* Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.
Local school districts are already cash-strapped with electric bus mandates and other mandatory costs. Developing and paying for costly measures to store cell phones every day for thousands of students in districts across the state is a burdensome enterprise.
Parents, teachers, and students alike do acknowledge that some guardrails need to be in place. There is no doubt that smartphones have taken hold as major distractions and time-sucks in student’s lives. Smartphones can be useful tools for school research and are fun outlets for videos and social media. But, they have a dark side too. Balancing those things is the trick and one-sized approach is not popular on the ground in many school districts.