Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced an ambitious plan to implement a “bell-to-bell” ban on smartphones and other electronic devices in schools, as part of her newly unveiled budget proposal. This initiative comes with a surprising $13.5 million price tag, aimed at helping schools statewide establish their own policies for minimizing electronic distractions.
The significant financial investment will support schools across the state in creating effective strategies to enforce this ban. According to Governor Hochul and accompanying budget documents, the goal is to ensure a more focused and distraction-free learning environment for students.
Phone-Free Classrooms? Hochul’s Proposal Takes Aim at Distractions
In her budget address, Hochul emphasized, “By the start of the next school year, every student will be required to disconnect from their devices during school hours, from the first bell to the last.” She further explained, “This means that during class, at lunch, and in the hallways, our kids will finally be free from the endless interruptions of social media and the mental health pressures that accompany it.”
While the budget plan allocates $13.5 million to help enforce the ban on smartphone use throughout the school day, it also grants schools the flexibility to develop their own “bell-to-bell” policies. This allows educational institutions to tailor the approach according to their unique needs and circumstances.
Governor Hochul, along with educators and unions, has long advocated for New York to become one of the “phone-free” states, joining others in prioritizing an enhanced educational experience free from device-related interruptions.
Governor Hochul has announced that schools will have the flexibility to implement a ban on phones, likely by storing these devices during school hours.
Implementing the Phone Ban: School Flexibility
“Each district will determine how they want to manage device storage and ensure compliance,” she stated. “Naturally, there will be exceptions for students requiring devices for medical reasons, assistance for non-English speakers, and those with learning disabilities.”
There is a rising trend among states to prohibit smartphones and other devices in educational settings. Christopher Sadowski. Raj Goyle, leader of the pro-ban organization Phone Free NY, expressed his support by joining Hochul at an Albany school on Wednesday. The governor is actively working to garner backing for this initiative.
“Kudos to the governor for stepping into a leadership role,” Goyle remarked. “It’s crucial that we ensure accountability and enforcement so that the bell-to-bell ban doesn’t just become a mere document.”
