On January 22nd, Governor Ho Chu of New York, together with students, parents, teachers, social advocates, and law enforcement officers, announced a ban on the use of smartphones in K-12 (kindergarten to high school) campuses across the state to ensure students can focus on learning. Just one day earlier, Ho Chu included the proposal in the executive budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
The Governor proposed a plan to eliminate smartphone interference in student learning statewide, which includes the following key points:
– On school days in K-12 campuses, from morning till evening (including classes, lunch, and study time), students are not allowed to use smartphones or other internet-enabled personal devices without permission.
– Schools are allowed to establish their own methods for storing student phones, allowing school administrators and teachers to choose the most suitable approach for their school and students.
– Allocation of $13.5 million for schools in need to purchase storage devices for phones, such as storage bags or lockers.
– Schools are required to provide parents with a channel to contact their children during class when necessary.
The proposal also clarifies that students can still use simple phones without internet access, as well as internet-enabled devices provided by the school for educational purposes, such as laptops or tablets.
Furthermore, the Governor’s proposal includes several exemptions, such as the use of internet-enabled devices for medical purposes, for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who need to use phones, or for other academic purposes.
This new regulation will be implemented starting from the 2025-26 school year, applying to all public school districts, charter schools, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.
This action continues Ho Chu’s efforts to protect youth mental health in the digital age. In June 2024, Ho Chu signed the “Safe for Kids Act,” the first of its kind in the United States, which requires social media companies to restrict the promotion of addictive content to users under 18 years old.
On the same day, Governor Ho Chu also released the report “More Learning, Less Smartphone Use,” summarizing the results of a year-long series of discussions with students, parents, and teachers. The report highlights that excessive smartphone use negatively impacts student learning and mental health, while a phone-free learning environment can enhance focus and creativity, as well as safeguard the mental health of teachers and students.