Governor Kathy Hochul joined Common Sense Media call for “bell-to-bell” distraction-free schools. The smartphone ban during the school day is supported by Common Sense Media’s network of 80,000 parents, kids and educators across New York.
After months of back and forth and listening tours Hochul is ready to say ‘No Smartphones Phones in School’.
“Constant digital distractions throughout the school day are hurting our kids — that’s why New Yorkers know that students should be learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Governor Hochul said. “Experts and advocates agree that a bell-to-bell plan for distraction-free schools will ensure the best results, and I’ll never stop fighting to protect our kids.”
Bob Vecchio, Executive Director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association has held the same position since this issue first came up, “We believe that each school board knows its students, parents, and school culture best and can make their own decision with regard to cell phone use in school. We do not support a one sized fits all statewide mandate.”
Common Sense Media specifically called for passage of the Governor’s full proposal, which will put commonsense “bell-to-bell” restrictions on smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices throughout the entire school day.
The announcement came after a roundtable hosted by the Governor with a group of New York moms, kids and educators on Common Sense Media’s Day of Action. Following the roundtable, the organization’s representatives are meeting with State lawmakers to urge support of distraction-free schools.
Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media James P. Steyer said, “The evidence is clear and the consensus is palpable: smartphones in classrooms are disrupting learning environments in New York and across the country. Governor Hochul's ‘bell-to-bell’ distraction-free schools proposal aims to support our students' mental health, academic success, and overall well-being — not by eliminating technology, but by creating spaces where students can fully engage with learning while developing healthy digital habits.
Common Sense Media also supports Hochul’s proposal to “outlaw AI-generated sexual abuse material and regulate “AI companion” services that have tragically led to self-harm among youth.”
First Lady Melania Trump made support of the Take it Down Act her first public issue since returning to the White House. The Act unanimously passed the Senate. The Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images including AI generated “deep fakes’. New York hopes to have a state companion to this Act.
The Governor’s proposal includes:
- 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.
- Proposes $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing phone storage solutions.
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.
- Allows students to have simple cell phones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction.
- Provides sensible exemptions to restrictions, including for a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), for students who need an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, or for other academic purposes such as translation.
- Requires schools to track and report on the enforcement of the ban and any disparities in enforcement.