New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has begun her official push to restrict smartphones in schools, to “ensure distraction-free learning” statewide.
Her proposal will restrict smartphone use in K-12 Schools throughout the entire school day. However, the proposal does require schools to give parents a way to contact students during the school day.
Legislation to create a statewide standard for distraction-free schools was included in the governor’s FY2026 Executive Budget Proposal. Additionally, as part of the push, the governor’s office released a new report with recommendations gathered from her statewide listening tour in 2024 with students, parents, and teachers regarding excessive smartphone use in schools.
“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.”
The legislative proposal covers requirements and details including:
- 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.
- Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day.
- Proposing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free.
- Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.
The proposal also clarifies that students would still be authorized to have access to simple cell phones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
Additionally, the proposal includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), or for other academic purposes, such as translation.
This new requirement would be in place starting in the 2025-26 School Year and would apply to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
“If students are distracted in the classroom, they’re not learning. As we strive to help every student in New York reach their full potential, meaningfully reducing the use of cell phones in classrooms is a critical and long-overdue step,” said State Senator Patricia Fahy. “Firm and sensible cellphone restrictions are essential to creating learning environments where students can focus and ultimately thrive. These policy proposals are the careful result of a powerful coalition of parents, teachers, school staff, and experts, delivering tangible strategies for school districts and teachers to begin reducing cell phone use in the classroom.”
