New York introduces a new school cellphone ban and launches a website for parents to review district policies.
ALBANY, N.Y. — School is starting back up in just a matter of weeks, and New York State is helping keep parents informed on the new statewide cellphone ban in the classroom.
On Thursday, the state launched a new website, where parents can look up their district’s policies. 1,050 school districts, charter schools, and BOCES have come up with new policies. That’s 96% of all schools in the state.
“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “As we look ahead to the start of the school year, communication is key – and our new online resource is making it easier for parents and students to review their school’s plan.”
The rest of the schools are expected to finalize their policies in the coming days.
The new law enacted this year requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide. New York’s statewide standard includes:
- Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (including classroom time, lunch, and study hall periods)
- Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day
- Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions
- Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requiring teachers, parents, and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Preventing inequitable discipline
The new policy allows students to have access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
