Thursday, March 27, 2025
A statewide smartphone ban would require school districts to restrict the use of the devices in classrooms to promote what Gov. Kathy Hochul describes as “distraction-free learning.” While some districts, including Wantagh, already have policies prohibiting smartphone use, others worry that the initiative may go too far.
Announced by Hochul at a news conference on Jan. 22, the ban would apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade statewide. Part of the governor’s fiscal year 2026 executive budget, it would allow districts the flexibility to develop their own implementation plans.
“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,” Hochul said.
That same day, she released a report based on her listening tour. It found that smartphones distract students and hinder creativity, and that phone-free policies support mental health without compromising safety. The report recommended clear communication with stakeholders, and addressing parents’ concerns.
This new requirement would be implemented in the 2025-26 school year, and would apply to all public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES.
In Wantagh, smartphone policies are already in place at all five district schools, according to Superintendent John McNamara.
“Elementary students are not allowed cell phones in school,” McNamara wrote in an emailed statement. “Middle school students leave their phones in their lockers for the entire school day. High school students place their phones in ‘phone cubbies’ when they walk into instructional areas.”
Levittown Public Schools, however, do not have a district-wide policy on smartphones. Instead, their use is at the discretion of the classroom teacher, according to Superintendent Todd Winch.
“Classroom teachers are allowed to have the phones be put into pouches in front of the classroom if they so choose,” Winch said. “The students can have them in their backpack if they want. They can have it on their desk if they want. It’s really up to the classroom teachers.”
The district, Winch said, has been in conversation with stakeholders, building administration, teachers’ groups and PTAs about a smartphone policy, which the district has yet to finalize, because it is waiting to see what happens with the governor’s proposal, which is tied to the budgeting process.
“We don’t know if there will be any changes between now and the budget adoption up in Albany,” Winch said.
The district, according to Winch, is looking to institute a policy that would require students to store their devices in pouches during class time. But, he added, he does not believe that a full ban, from the beginning of the school day to the end, is necessary. Under Hochul’s proposal, there would be no unsanctioned use of smartphones or other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds for the entire school day, including lunches and study halls.
Winch said he is in favor of making devices unavailable while teachers are instructing classes. He agrees that smartphone use is a distraction, but also believes that a complete ban is not the best method.
“I think it could be used during free time and cafeteria,” he said. “I think one of the things that could be missing from the proposal is that there really should be more about teaching students proper use of a phone.”
At the elementary level, the Levittown district has implemented a digital citizenship course, which teaches students digital etiquette, such as when it’s appropriate to use a cellphone, according to Winch.
Hochul’s proposed spending plan would allocate $13.5 million to school districts to help them pay for pouches, cubbies and other storage methods. Winch said the district would “absolutely” make use of funding made available by the state.
“We’re always looking to utilize state grant funding whenever possible in order to alleviate any kind of cost to our taxpayers,” he said.
As part of the governor’s proposal, schools would be required to make it possible for parents to contact their children during the day if needed. In Levittown, Winch said, parents would be able to call a school’s main office to do so.
As a father of two children, he said, he understands the demand by parents to have the ability to be in quick communication with their children during school hours, such as for emergencies.
“This is not the ’70s or ’80s anymore,” Winch said. “(But) for me, the governor’s proposal, saying from bell to bell, beginning of the day to end of day, they can’t have access at all, is a bit extreme.”
