New York is poised to become the largest state in the nation to ban student cellphone use for the entire school day, following an agreement by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature to include the measure in the 2026 state budget. The restriction, slated to take effect this fall, will apply to all public schools, charter schools, and BOCES programs statewide, marking a major shift in how technology is managed in classrooms and school environments.
The proposal has stirred strong reactions among Glen Cove residents, including Jeanne Sharkey Zaino, who responded to a Herald Facebook poll. “The children were allowed cell phones during 9/11 and Columbine,” said Zaino, whose children were in school at the time. “If I had kids in schools I would be opposed to Hochul’s plan. I can see not using (phones) during class, etc.”
Hochul officially announced the policy on Tuesday as part of the broader $254 billion state budget deal, describing the initiative as a landmark effort to support youth mental health and curb the distractions caused by smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices. The ban will cover classroom periods, study halls and lunch in what the administration calls a “bell-to-bell” policy. Smartwatches and tablets with internet capability will be included in the restriction.
“New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” Hochul said in a news release on Tuesday. “I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.”
To help districts implement the policy, the budget includes $13.5 million in funding for schools to acquire storage solutions, like magnetic pouches, for student devices. While the policy establishes a statewide standard, it allows each school to develop its own plan for managing and storing phones. According to the governor’s release, schools must involve teachers, students and parents in shaping their local policies — and they will be required to ensure that parents and guardians have a way to contact their children during the day.
Although the final bill language had not been released as of Tuesday afternoon, the Legislature was expected to begin voting on the measure this week.
Exceptions to the rule will be allowed for students who require phones for medical reasons, translation or other needs outlined in individualized education programs. Students may also use devices with no internet capability, and internet-enabled laptops or tablets will be allowed when used for classroom instruction.
Supporters of the initiative say it is a necessary step toward reclaiming educational focus and improving students’ mental health. The policy follows a growing national movement to limit screen time and restrict smartphone use among youth. In June 2024, Hochul signed the Safe for Kids Act, a first-in-the-nation law to restrict addictive social media feeds for users under 18. She also signed the New York Child Data Protection Act, which bars websites and connected devices from collecting or sharing minors’ personal data without informed consent.
The cellphone ban builds on those legislative efforts, and according to Hochul’s office, stems from findings gathered during a statewide listening tour involving educators, students and parents. The resulting report, “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools,” concluded that phones negatively impact learning, student creativity and mental health. It also found that phone-free environments do not compromise student safety, provided that schools maintain clear communication protocols for emergencies.
Some Glen Cove residents say the change is long overdue. Jon Lauter, a former New York City high school teacher, said that the impact of smartphones on student focus has been undeniable. “The barrage of instantaneous dopamine hits and the ability to find information immediately has caused students to have zero attention span and zero intellectual curiosity,” Lauter said. “The last thing you want in an active-shooter situation is a bunch of kids making noise on their phones.”
New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person also voiced her support. “This isn’t about being anti-phone or anti-technology — it’s about being pro-childhood,” Person said. “We’re giving students seven hours a day free from distractions so they can focus on learning, access their creativity and make real human connections.”
Julie Scelfo, founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction, called the policy a model for other states. “Smartphones are designed to be addictive in a way that makes it harder for kids to focus and learn,” Scelfo said. “As parents, we are grateful to Governor Hochul and the lawmakers who led this effort to support engaged, distraction-free learning in our schools.”
For some, the issue remains complex. Glen Cove resident Janice LaRocca, who also responded to the Herald’s poll, said she was torn, but does see the advantages of restricting the use of phones in schools.
“Phones are an overall senseless distraction and society has suffered greatly because of social media, especially for kids,” she said. “Looking at the degrading outcome over the last 20 years, I’d say something drastic is needed if we have any hope of improving academically, socially, etc.”
