On July 16th, the Governor of New York State and the Director of Education for New York City held a roundtable meeting in the Bronx to discuss the upcoming implementation of the “Distraction-Free Schools Law” this fall. They engaged in detailed discussions with elected officials, representatives from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and other stakeholders. The New York City Panel for Education Policy (PEP) is set to vote on July 23rd, and all public school districts are expected to announce their relevant policies by August 1st.
According to the new state law, all public K-12 schools in New York State will fully implement the “Distraction-Free Schools Law” this fall (2025-2026 school year), prohibiting students from using smartphones during class time. All school districts, public schools, charter schools, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) throughout the state must enforce a “bell-to-bell” policy that restricts the use of smartphones or other internet-capable personal devices on school premises from the start of the school day until the end.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “Our young people should be spending their time on learning and growth, not on scrolling through their phones. This ban will ensure a more focused learning environment for them.” Melissa Avilés-Ramos, the Director of Education for New York City, introduced the roundtable meeting as an open platform for dialogue and expressed gratitude for Mayor Adams’ support and investment in paving the way for students’ futures.
Currently, the New York City Panel for Education Policy (PEP) is scheduled to vote on the draft policy regarding smartphones in public schools on July 23rd. All public school districts are required to publicly announce their “distraction-free policies” by August 1st. The state government has set up a dedicated website providing FAQs, toolkits, and other reference materials to assist districts in preparing for the implementation.
As per the new regulations, schools must establish appropriate methods for storing smartphones, such as centralized storage or the use of phone pouches. The state will allocate $13.5 million to assist schools in purchasing necessary equipment. The law also mandates that schools consult teachers, parents, and students when formulating policies and provide parents with a means to contact their children when necessary.
The new law also includes exemptions for students with special needs, such as those who require smartphones for managing health conditions, have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), for learning purposes, family care, or translation needs, etc. Additionally, students may still use basic phones without internet capabilities and school-designated devices such as tablets or laptops for educational purposes.