New York Governor Suggests Ban on Cellphones in Schools

January 22, 2025 TruthUSA

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has put forth new legislation that aims to require students to refrain from using their smartphones while at school.

On Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a proposal to prohibit cellphone usage in educational institutions to reduce distractions during school hours.

During her budget address, Hochul emphasized the difficulties teachers face in capturing their students’ attention amid numerous phone distractions. To combat this problem, the governor plans to establish a statewide cellphone ban in schools beginning with the next academic term.

A recent poll indicated that 95 percent of students across the United States have access to mobile devices and typically receive around 250 notifications daily.

“As a mother, these numbers resonate with me. I understand how challenging it can be to gain your children’s focus,” she remarked. “We aren’t equipping them with the necessary skills because they are preoccupied with their phones.”

This proposed legislation stems from discussions held by Hochul last year with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, students, educators, school leaders, advocates, and community figures, to evaluate the impact of smartphones on students’ learning, communication, and mental health.

“Following these discussions, I am proud to present a proposal today that will revitalize our classrooms,” Hochul stated. “We intend to restore them as environments focused on education, implementing a new statewide policy to create distraction-free classrooms in New York.”

The law would mandate that students disconnect from their devices during school hours, encompassing classes, lunch breaks, and hallway time.

According to Hochul, school districts will have the discretion to determine how to enforce these regulations, including how students’ devices are secured, while ensuring adherence to the law.

The legislation will accommodate exceptions for students requiring device access due to medical necessities, non-English speakers, and those with learning disabilities.

This proposal awaits approval from state legislators. Blake Washington, the budget director, announced that approximately $13.5 million will be allocated to assist school districts with the implementation of the cellphone ban.

A study conducted in 2023 by Common Sense Media revealed that 97 percent of students aged 11 to 17 utilize their phones during school, with half of those surveyed receiving an average of 237 notifications or more each day.

Several states have enacted measures to regulate student cellphone usage in educational settings. California Governor Gavin Newsom approved legislation last year mandating that school districts, charter schools, and county education offices establish policies to prohibit or limit smartphone use by July 2026.

“We recognize that excessive smartphone use can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges – but we possess the ability to take action,” Newsom stated in a September 23 announcement last year.

Last year, Virginia’s Department of Education released final guidelines for K-12 public schools to adopt a “bell-to-bell” policy, requiring students to keep their cellphones turned off and stored away from the first bell until dismissals.

A 2024 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 68 percent of American adults support bans on cellphone use during middle and high school classes, while 24 percent opposed such regulations. This survey included responses from 5,110 American adults and was conducted from September 30 to October 6, 2024.

Source link