On January 21, Governor Hochu of New York announced the preliminary plan for the New York State budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes the ban on cell phone use in public schools, supported by many. In this $252 billion budget, the governor allocated $13 million to support restrictions on student use of electronic devices in classrooms, making New York the latest place to ban student cell phones in classrooms statewide. The final budget must be finalized by April 1.
The governor’s proposal will require school districts to implement policies that prohibit students from using cell phones inside school buildings or on campus during school hours, with some exceptions. Each school district must specify alternative ways for parents to contact their children and determine where students must store their phones, such as lockers. Hochu stated in the budget highlights, “By gradually restricting electronic devices in K-12 classrooms across the state, creating distraction-free schools, and providing schools with over $13 million for purchasing bags, lockers, or other necessary infrastructure.”
“Because children are distracted by phones, we are not cultivating the skills they need,” Hochu said. “Our teachers have a hard time teaching algebra and geography when they have to compete with dances online, messages from friends, and sometimes even threats and bullying. How can you focus on homework in such a situation?”
Hochu’s proposal lists some exceptions, including allowing students to use phones for specific educational purposes, medical reasons, translation, and emergencies.
Currently, at least 8 states – California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia – have enacted bans on student cell phones, with more states considering similar legislation.
Many educators and parents believe that cell phones disrupt student learning, lead to addiction, and even cause serious mental health issues.
The New York City Department of Education previously studied specific regulations on banning student phone use. The education news website Chalkbeat reported in July last year that this ban could take effect as early as February 2025; some public school principals even listened to the education department’s presentation and were informed that each school would be responsible for implementing rules, such as collecting students’ phones before class each day and returning them after school, or having students put their phones in lockable phone pouches with no internet access, unlocking them after school.
However, on October 2 last year, then-New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, who had been advocating for a ban on cell phone use in public schools, suddenly changed his stance, saying, “Now is not the time to ban cell phone use in schools.” This was due to two schools in Upper West Side Manhattan closing unexpectedly in September. Banks pointed out that in emergencies at schools, parents must be able to contact their children. Although the incident was quickly confirmed to be a false alarm, some parents were unhappy that they couldn’t directly contact their children during the school closure.
The governor’s plan aims to prevent such incidents as much as possible; however, the principle is that “our children will eventually be free from the endless distractions of social media and all the psychological stress that comes with it,” she said.