The New York State United Teachers union announced Tuesday that its 83-person board of directors unanimously approved a resolution last week calling for “a statewide law or policy” restricting smartphones and devices like smartwatches and earbuds during the school day, with limited exceptions for “instructional purposes and student health and safety needs.”
The vote was held Friday, immediately after the union hosted what it called a “Disconnected Conference,” where more than 500 educators, students, parents and policymakers — including Gov. Kathy Hochul — gathered to discuss the effects of cellphones, social media and technology on learning and mental health in schools, according to a news release.
“Our Disconnected Conference confirmed what we’ve heard from out members across the state: the constant disruption of dealing with cell phone use and social media-related distractions is working against the primary mission of our schools, which is to educate our children,” NYSUT President Melina Person said in a statement.
The resolution calls for restrictions to be designed locally, with input from parents, educators and other stakeholders, and should also address “alternative communication methods and systems for parents and caregivers.”
Educators should not “bear the sole or primary responsibility” for implementing and enforcing the policies and the state should provide resources so that districts are not “financially burdened” by the cost of implementing whatever policy is adopted, the union said.
Earlier this month, the union conducted a poll that found 85% of its members support banning cellphones and personal electronic devices for the entire school day with approved exceptions, according to the release.
“NYSUT members reported that students’ use of cellphones is a major factor in the challenges affecting schools today, including: students not developing adequate social skills (88% major factor), bullying (81%), students being distracted in class (80%), students having difficulty learning (79%) and students struggling academically (78%),” the release states. “Additionally, 71% said cellphones are responsible for driving a negative or unhealthy school culture.”
During a recent statewide listening tour around mental health issues in schools, Hochul has floated the idea of legislation restricting cellphones in schools.
“This is an option I’m considering with legislation,” Hochul said during an Aug. 5 stop in Yonkers, when asked about potentially banning cellphones in the classroom. The governor went on to say school districts can take action on the issue on their own.
Reached for comment on the union’s proposed policy, a spokesperson for the governor referred to comments Hochul made during the Disconnected Conference, where she again backed the idea of restricting cellphones in schools.
“Our job is to raise adults, fully-functioning adults, who emerge from childhood with the social skills that they develop in school settings,” Hochul said during the summit. “They’re being denied that now, because the cellphone has taken over human interaction.”
JP O’Hare, a spokesperson for the state Education Department, said the department “is committed to addressing the complex challenges of our rapidly evolving technological landscape with a comprehensive strategy.”
That strategy includes bolstering media literacy in order to teach students how to better understand traditional and social media, while working with the state Office of Mental Health and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to protect children from online dangers and strengthen the rules around parental consent and data privacy and protection.
“Educating students on responsible cellphone use and media literacy is essential as it prepares them for digital etiquette and responsibility,” O’Hare said. “These initiatives aim to provide educators with the resources necessary to foster informed and resilient digital citizens.”
Meanwhile, school districts throughout the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley have taken steps to limit cellphone usage in the classroom in recent weeks by passing varying regulations.
At the Greater Amsterdam School District, a new policy is set to go into effect this month requiring high school students to place their devices in magnetic pouches that can be unlocked at the end of the day. The policy mirrors one that has been in place at the Schoharie Central School District for two years.
The Schenectady City School District and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District have new policies this year requiring high school students to place their phones in a designated cubby before each class.
“Schools that have implemented a ‘bell-to-bell’ ban, tailored to local needs and concerns, have seen significant improvements in student focus, classroom engagement, children’s relationships and school safety,” Person said. “NYSUT will always advocate for what is best for kids and our school communities, and that means restricting these devices to prioritize students’ mental health, distraction-free learning environments, and positive interactions with peers.”
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