Staten Island, N.Y. – New York City education officials are set to introduce a significant policy that would strictly prohibit the use of cellphones and other internet-enabled devices during the entire school day.
This move comes as a direct response to a recent state law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, that enforces a statewide ‘bell-to-bell’ ban aimed at minimizing distractions within educational environments.
The new Distraction-Free Schools law mandates that public school districts devise and implement a policy by August 1, 2025, in time for the 2025-2026 school year.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of a focused learning environment, stating, ‘Our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling – and that’s why New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions on the first day of school.’
Hochul noted that many school districts across the state are already at various stages of finalizing their distraction-free policies and are being supported by resources made available through her office.
Under the proposed city policy, personal internet-enabled devices, which include smartphones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches, will not be permitted on school grounds throughout the school day.
However, an allowance has been made for simple cellphones that lack internet capability.
Further, students will be permitted to use internet-enabled devices supplied by their schools when those devices are necessary for classroom instruction.
Each public school within the city will be required to formulate its own written policy regarding electronic device usage by the onset of the 2025-2026 academic year, with these policies posted on the districts’ websites for transparency.
Additionally, the regulations must include a method for parents to reach their children during school hours, potentially through a direct line to the school.
The items that will be disallowed during school hours include a wide range of personal electronic devices, encompassing cellphones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, portable music players, and handheld gaming consoles.
Exceptions to this ban will exist in specific cases, such as when authorization is granted by the school principal for educational purposes, or in scenarios where students require devices to monitor health conditions.
Caregivers of students may also use these devices if they are responsible for a family member, and provisions will be made for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans that necessitate device access.
In emergencies, student use of personal devices may also be authorized if parents have previously informed the school about the circumstances.
Schools will take responsibility for the storage of personal devices, requiring students to turn off and stash their gadgets appropriately as determined by each school’s policy.
At a minimum, schools must provide a method to securely store devices, which could include designated storage lockers or holders.
Students found violating this policy by accessing electronic devices without permission will face a graduated disciplinary approach aligned with the city’s Discipline Code.
However, it is important to note that suspension solely due to device misconduct is not permitted under the new rules.
Should a school confiscate a device for policy infringement, the school is obligated to notify the student’s parent.
As education officials prepare for this transition, the policies aim to foster an environment where students can focus on their studies without the distraction of personal devices.
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