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(New York, NY) — The new bell to bell cellphone ban in classrooms across New York is getting it’s first test this week, and teachers say it’s just wild to watch their students actually talk to one another in the cafeteria. It’s the first academic year since the District Free Schools law was signed into law, requiring smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, along with Charter schools and BOCES.
Governor Kathy Hochul says 150 school districts submitted plans for student smartphone restrictions over the summer. She says says she’s proud of New York’s first-in-the-nation statewide ban, noting that “No longer will children in the state of New York be bombarded with addictive algorithms, addictive messaging and having their private information sold.” The governor says she is convinced that restrictions will force kids to make eye contact again and encourage in-person, rather than virtual friendships. Hochul says she’s hopeful that other states will follow New York’s lead.
