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Published on January 14, 2025
Governor Hochul Aims to Curb K-12 Cellphone Use in New York Schools Citing Mental HealthSource: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has sparked discussion with her latest goal: limiting K-12 students' cellphone usage in schools. According to a statement from her office, this initiative will be part of her upcoming budget, though specifics are still under wraps, as reported by ABC7NY. At Hudson Valley Community College, Hochul cited mental health concerns for this decision, saying, "There's so much pressure on all of you, and I've got to help you with that. That's my job."

The governor acknowledged the potential unpopularity of the plan, stating, "We’ve got to talk about cellphones in schools. We won’t do that today because it’ll make me very unpopular, I’m sure," as she addressed students. Details of the restrictions are expected later in the month. According to the governor's office, Hochul's push for these measures follows a tour engaging students, parents, and teachers on the topic since last spring, as reported by ABC7NY.

In The New York Times, Hochul drew parallels to her previous legislative win aimed at protecting youth from addictive social media algorithms. Echoing concerns of distractions in classrooms, she stated, "Young people succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing — not clicking and scrolling."

While former New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks considered a ban, Mayor Eric Adams believes it requires further study. Across the country, some districts have already made the jump – Los Angeles Unified leads the way. As New York deliberates, the state teachers' union has pushed for a "bell-to-bell" policy to bar cellphone use during school hours. However, concern looms among parents who remember 9/11, who fret over contacting their children in emergencies. Principals are asking who will pay for phone storage, and teachers question enforcement responsibilities. The United Federation of Teachers churns out caveats: teachers shouldn't enforce restrictions, school districts should bear costs, enforcement should be equitable, and emergency contact lines for parents are a must.

Amidst this debate, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal put forward a bill to prohibit students from accessing their phones on school grounds, seeing it as an initial step towards statewide discourse. "As a parent of a 14-year-old daughter, I understand how phones are an obstacle in the learning environment," Hoylman-Sigal told The New York Times. "At the same time, I appreciate that parents want their children to have phones when they’re on the subway, or on a bus. So I hope the governor’s proposal embraces both of those needs."

Hochul also related insights from her discussions with students, noting the pressure they feel to stay connected. "There’s so much pressure on all of you, and I’ve got to help you with that," she reinforced, as detailed by ABC7NY. With various stakeholders at the table, the governor's eventual proposal could reshape the digital landscape of New York's classrooms in a significant way.