New ban on smartphones during school day starts in September
Information from press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
As the school year comes to an end this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul is highlighting a new era that will start in September with a ban on smartphones during the school day.
Hochul said the “bell to bell” is a shift to distraction-free learning, and an emphasis on students’ academic performance and mental health.
“I’ll never stop working to deliver the best results for our kids – and that’s why the era of smartphone distractions in New York schools ends today,” Hochul said today. “My team is working with key stakeholders across the state to ensure school districts finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by the Aug. 1 deadline. When students return this fall, New York’s distraction-free schools will deliver the best possible learning environments – and they’ll help give our kids their childhood back.”
New York State’s distraction-free school law will be in effect for the 2025-26 School Year. It applies to all schools statewide in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
New York State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law:
- Prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), 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 — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
- Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Prevents inequitable discipline
Students will have authorized access to simple cellphones 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.
The new state policy 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), for academic purposes, or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.
Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:
- Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
- Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
- Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
- Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
- Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
- An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
- Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming
New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, “Bell-to-bell distraction-free schools aren’t a theory; they’re already working in districts across New York. With phones out of sight and minds fully in the moment, we’ve seen students’ joy, focus and friendships return. Now it’s time to scale it statewide. NYSUT is proud to stand with Governor Hochul in making distraction-free learning the law, and we’re ready to help school communities learn from each other and share what’s working so that every district is ready this fall. Our kids deserve nothing less.”
New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert S. Schneider said, “School boards take seriously the importance of reducing classroom distractions and identifying ways to support students’ responses to mental health challenges stemming from social media use and other pressures. Prior to enactment of this new law, school boards across the state have developed and strengthened policies related to student use of cell phones and internet-connected devices. This summer, school boards are reengaging in that previous work with local stakeholders in order to ensure that policies comply with this new statewide requirement in time for the new school year in September.”
