Gov. Kathy Hochul proposing NY student cellphone restrictions in schools

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on Jan 13, 2025

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NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul is introducing cell phone restrictions in New York public schools as part of the upcoming state budget amid concern over the mental health of youngsters, she said Monday.

The specifics of her plan will be unveiled later this month, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“We got to talk about cell phones in schools,” Hochul said at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. “We won’t do that today, because it will make me very unpopular, I’m sure. But I did enough round tables with teenagers in schools, even around here.”

“One young woman said, ‘You got to save us from ourselves. We can’t put it down because we’re afraid we’re going to miss something. Someone could be getting together in the girls room right now and I can’t miss it, or they’re going to be talking about a party. They’re going to be talking about what I’m wearing. They’re mocking me out and bullying me.'”

The governor had been teasing limits on the devices since last spring, when former Chancellor David Banks was exploring a ban in New York City public schools, the state’s largest district. But Mayor Eric Adams at the eleventh hour put the kibosh on those plans for this school year.

As part of the state budget, any restrictions will require approval by the Legislature, as opposed to an executive order by the governor. Hochul has repeatedly said cutting back on cell phone-use is necessary to combat youth mental health issues coming out of the pandemic.

“There’s so much pressure on all of you, and I’ve got to help you with that,” Hochul said. “That’s my job.”