6 days Ago
New York State legislative leaders have agreed to ban smartphone use in public schools under a new budget agreement aimed at improving children’s mental health. The restrictions will apply throughout the school day, from the first bell to the last, Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday. "Research shows bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions make schools safer and help kids stay engaged, learn, and thrive,” said Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers.
New York will join California, Florida, Virginia and several other states that have approved limits on school-day smartphone use in recent years, citing concerns about everything from youth anxiety to online safety. Governor Kathy Hochul has made enacting a ban on Internet-enabled devices a top priority as part of her 2025-26 budget plan, which is expected to exceed US$252mil. Negotiations over the spending package are continuing past an April 1 deadline amid disagreements over other proposals, like restrictions on mask-wearing in public, mental health commitments and changes to the state’s criminal discovery laws.
The device restrictions will largely reflect what Hochul proposed in her January draft budget, with some modifications, Heastie said. Hochul has proposed that school districts would have until Aug 1 to develop and implement local plans to restrict the use of smartphones, tablets and other internet-connected devices. The Assembly, Senate and governor’s office are finalizing language for the measure, Heastie said.
Hochul, a Democrat who is widely expected to seek re-election in 2026, has made teen mental health a focal point of her policy agenda. Last year, she signed legislation restricting algorithm-driven social media feeds for underage users, though it will not take effect until regulations are finalised by Attorney General Letitia James. – Bloomberg.
