New York City public school students will be prohibited from using cellphones, tablets and smartwatches during the entire school day beginning this fall, a move aligned with New York State’s newly enacted “Distraction‑Free Schools” law. The statewide measure mandates a “bell‑to‑bell” ban of cellphones—meaning no unauthorized internet‑enabled devices are permitted from the opening to the closing bell, including during lunch, recess, passing periods and study halls.
The city’s Panel for Education Policy approved New York City’s compliance plan in a decisive 14–1 vote, setting the stage for implementation across all 1,600+ public schools in the system. Individual schools are entrusted with designing localized plans—determining how devices like cellphones will be collected, stored and retrieved. Many may adopt solutions like magnetic pouches, costing roughly $30 each, or classroom lockboxes and secure lockers tailored for younger students.
To support districts in rolling out these new policies, New York has allocated $13.5 million in state funding, and New York City has earmarked $25 million—available for purchasing storage systems, training staff, and maintaining emergency communications protocols so that parents can reach their children when necessary.
The ban includes several critical exceptions. Students may carry and use internet‑enabled devices for health reasons, such as managing insulin, for educational tasks permitted by teachers, for translation services or under an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and if they serve as caregivers to a family member. Non‑internet‑enabled devices—such as basic flip phones—are not subject to the restriction, and school‑issued technology like Chromebooks may continue to be used for instructional purposes under close oversight.
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that the initiative grew from a statewide listening tour involving educators, students and parents and was shaped by her report titled “More Learning, Less Scrolling.” The aim: to reduce distraction, enhance focus, boost academic performance and promote mental well‑being among students. Hochul stated, “Our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling”.
Support for restrictions on smartphone use during school hours has increased sharply statewide. A Pew Research Center survey found that about 74% of American adults now back limiting cellphone use in classrooms, up from 68% six months earlier. Support for all‑day bans rose from 36% to 44%, crossing political and age divides—with strongest support among adults over 50.
During a roundtable hosted in mid‑July at Walton High School, Hochul and New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles‑Ramos highlighted the school system’s readiness and collaborative development of implementation plans involving teachers’ unions, administrators and student representatives. Chancellor Aviles‑Ramos noted that equity remains central to enforcement, stressing that students will not face immediate suspension for initial non‑compliance and that disciplinary actions will be carefully calibrated.
Despite widespread support, challenges loom: only about 150 of the state’s 730 public school districts had submitted their implementation plans as of late July, just days before the August 1 deadline required by law. Districts must ensure emergency contact systems, transparency in policy communication, and mechanisms to prevent inequitable discipline—especially in diverse communities.
Supporters highlight broader gains: reducing social media exposure, minimizing bullying or covert recordings, and cultivating more meaningful in‑person interactions and creativity in classrooms. The new framework builds on New York’s earlier leadership in youth digital protections, such as the 2024 Safe for Kids Act curbing addictive social media feeds for minors and regulations limiting children’s online data collection.
Mayor Eric Adams praised the policy as a major step toward restoring the classroom as a distraction‑free zone and giving students the best chance to succeed academically and socially. Chancellor Aviles‑Ramos affirmed that the policy remains “dynamic”—subject to regular review and adjustment to ensure smooth, fair implementation as the new school year opens in September 2025.
