Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a “bell-to-bell” ban on smartphones and other devices in her budget plan unveiled Tuesday — a prohibition that comes with a surprise $13.5 million bill.
The eight-figure outlay will help schools statewide set up their own policies on banishing electronic distractions, according to the governor and budget documents.
“By the start of the next school year, every student will be required to disconnect from their devices during school hours bell to bell,” Hochul said in her budget speech.
“That means during class, at lunch, in the hallways, our kids will finally be free from the endless interruptions of social media and all the mental health pressures that come along with it.”
The governor, teachers and educator unions have long pushed for New York to join the ranks of “phone-free” school states.
Hochul said schools will have flexibility in how they ban phones, likely through storing the devices during the day.
“Districts will decide how they want to store devices and how they will ensure compliance,” she said. “Of course, there will be exceptions for students who need their devices for medical reasons to assist non-English language speakers and students with learning disabilities.”
Raj Goyle, head of the pro-ban group Phone Free NY, said he’ll be with Hochul in an Albany school Wednesday as the governor hits the ground running to win support for the edict.
“Kudos to the governor taking a leadership role,” he said. “We need to make sure there is accountability and enforcement, so the [bell-to-bell ban] is not just a piece of paper.”