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Advocacy Group Joins Push for Statewide Ban on Smartphones in New York Schools
Edited by: TJVNews.com
A powerful new advocacy group, Phone Free New York, has launched a high-profile campaign to ban smartphone use in schools across New York, citing the detrimental effects of screen time on students’ mental health and learning. According to a report that appeared in The New York Post, the group has already secured six-figure funding to support its efforts and is lobbying Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislators to enact a law prohibiting mobile phone usage during the school day.
Cellphones have become a pervasive distraction in classrooms, with educators and parents increasingly concerned about their impact on student well-being and academic performance. “Since the pandemic, social-media use has soared while our kids’ well-being has collapsed,” said Raj Goyle, founder of Phone Free New York, in an interview with The New York Post. Goyle pointed to a worrying rise in in-school violence and bullying, exacerbated by smartphones, as well as their role in isolating children from meaningful peer interactions. “Schools should stimulate learning and social connections. That’s why Phone Free New York is laser-focused on ensuring Albany takes action to protect our kids,” he added.
Goyle is a former Kansas state legislator turned New Yorker and co-founder of the 5Boro Institute think tank, the group aims to push both New York City and state lawmakers to implement strict policies curbing phone use in classrooms. According to the information in The New York Post, this campaign is positioning New York as a potential national leader on the issue, much as it was in 2003 when former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s smoking ban in bars and restaurants set a precedent for other states.
Goyle acknowledges the benefits of digital technology, noting its role in supercharging productivity and bolstering the economy. However, he warns that smartphones have also brought significant downsides, particularly for young people. “Research shows the ease of smartphones has also brought serious negative consequences for youths,” he told The New York Post. These include distractions in the classroom, exacerbated mental health struggles, and a rise in bullying facilitated by social media.
Governor Hochul has expressed support for the initiative, noting its alignment with her broader goal of addressing smartphone misuse in schools. Following a “listening tour” in 2023, during which she met with students, parents, educators, and community leaders, Hochul signaled her commitment to advancing a “statewide standard” for distraction-free learning environments. “From parent teacher associations to business and economic leaders, New Yorkers agree that young people succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing — not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul told The New York Post. She plans to include a proposal on this issue in her upcoming executive budget plan.
The movement to restrict phone use in schools is not unique to New York. As The New York Post reported, eight other states—spanning the political spectrum from California to Virginia—have already enacted similar measures. These policies aim to curb distractions, reduce social media-induced mental health issues, and foster more engaging and focused classrooms. With additional states considering proposals this year, New York could soon join a growing national trend.
The state’s influential teachers’ union, New York State United Teachers, has thrown its weight behind the idea of phone-free schools, further bolstering the initiative’s momentum. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, educators see the policy as essential for restoring classroom focus and fostering healthier social interactions among students.
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have both expressed interest in addressing the issue, though concrete actions have yet to materialize. The scale of the challenge is immense: the New York City Department of Education oversees 1,800 schools housed in 14,000 buildings, and opinions on a potential ban vary widely. While some parents support restrictions to curb distractions and improve focus, others argue that children should have access to phones in case of emergencies.
“This is an incredible opportunity for a new organization, Phone Free New York, to serve as a nerve center for activism and a clearinghouse for innovative policy solutions,” Goyle said in an interview with The New York Post. The group plans to file for tax-exempt nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service to enhance its advocacy efforts. It has also enlisted the consulting firm Metropolitan Strategies, led by Neal Kwatra, to spearhead the campaign.
The group’s initial goal is to persuade the New York City Department of Education to implement phone-free policies this spring. From there, Phone Free New York plans to demand state legislation, pushing lawmakers to send a comprehensive bill to Governor Hochul’s desk. Drawing on his experience with bipartisan lobbying efforts, including the passage of the SAFE (Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation) for Kids Act last year, Goyle is optimistic about the campaign’s potential impact.
Hochul highlighted the toll excessive phone use has taken on children’s mental health. “[Children] are so absorbed in their cell phone. And it’s taken kids to a dark mental-health place,” she told CBS’ Marcia Kramer. However, the governor stopped short of endorsing a full “bell-to-bell” ban and did not specify whether state funds would be allocated to implement such a system.
Despite these uncertainties, Goyle sees parallels between this campaign and past public health initiatives. He believes that just as New York led the way with the smoking ban, it can once again set a national example by addressing the challenges of smartphone use in schools. The New York Post report noted that if successful, the campaign could position New York at the forefront of a growing movement to reclaim classrooms as spaces for focused learning and social connection, free from the distractions of digital technology.
