Ogden, N.Y. (WHAM) — Starting this school year, there will be no phones, smart watches or earbuds allowed in public and charter schools across New York state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the Rochester area Friday to tout the bell-to-bell cellphone ban.
“Home stretch, everybody,” Hochul said, surrounded by local officials and educators at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES.
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Hochul said educators were losing the battle with TikTok, Instagram and the like keeping kids focused on learning.
“I’m willing to go into the line of fire and be one of the very first states to have a full declaration that we’ll have distraction-free schools,” she said.
Tom Putnam, superintendent of Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, said cellphones are a diversion for nearly everyone — especially in the classroom.
“Teens, ages 13 to 17, report being on social media about five hours a day,” Putnam said. “55% of students nationally reported experience some form of cyberbullying over a year.” said Putnam.
However, the plan is not without controversy. One big question from parents is what happens if a school shooting occurs and a student needs a phone?
Hochul said it’s actually the worst thing to have — and discussions with law enforcement helped to assuage her nerves and change her opinion.
“That cellphone can ring and go off, and someone looking to do harm to students would know exactly where they are,” she said.
There are exceptions to the ban, for example, should a student have medical issues tied to a device, or need one for translation purposes. The law also requires districts to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary.
Plans from districts were due by Aug. 1. Thus far, Hochul said 86 percent are in compliance.
“I’m proud to announce that of the 1,100 school districts, including BOCES and charter schools, which were not in our earlier calculations, we’re closing in on that about 940,” she said.
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Those remaining are still ironing out details, but make no mistake: “They’ll be complying with (the policy),” Hochul said.
Parents can help their kids prepare, Hochul said, by easing them into time away from their screens and being more face to face.
“Be aware this is coming,” she said. “Be patient, and we’ll get through this.”
Hochul said bluntly cellphones can turn into an easy addiction, and part of curbing that habit starts with schools.
“I do believe that this is going to be a transformational opportunity for us,” she said, “and the next generations of students coming up will never, ever know this challenge of having the cellphones in schools in this distraction all day long.”