New York Governor Hochul Proposes Legislation to Prohibit Smartphones in Schools

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is planning to introduce a bill that would ban smartphones in schools, as reported by The Guardian.

“I have seen these addictive algorithms pull in young people, literally capture them and make them prisoners in a space where they are cut off from human connection, social interaction, and normal classroom activity,” she stated.

The proposed bill, which she intends to push in the state’s next legislative session, would permit kids to carry simple “dumb” phones that can send texts but cannot access the internet.

“Parents are very anxious about mass shootings in schools,” she added. “Parents want the ability to have some form of connection in an emergency situation.”

The Governor also described smartphones as having “addictive algorithms” that “pull in young people, literally capture them and make them prisoners in a space where they are cut off from human connection, social interaction, and normal classroom activity.”

Hochul is also reportedly working on two other initiatives concerning child safety and privacy, namely the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (Safe) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act.