Parents Rally Behind Hochul’s Full-Day School Cellphone Ban as Lawmakers Consider Loosening It

By: Meyer Wolfshiem

A group of concerned parents is urgently calling on state lawmakers to support Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools — just as some legislators appear to be wavering in their support. The NY Post originally reported that the late-stage push by advocates aims to stop lawmakers from watering down the governor’s plan, which would require students to store phones until the end of the school day.

According to The NY Post, parents are alarmed by competing bills in the State Senate and Assembly that would give local school districts more autonomy — potentially weakening Hochul’s strict proposal. Advocates argue that allowing phones in hallways, lunchrooms, and during recess will effectively undermine the point of the policy altogether.

In a letter obtained by The NY Post, the parent groups wrote, “At this critical moment, legislators must not take the wrong path.” The letter was sent to several top lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and directly criticizes alternative legislation introduced by Assembly and Senate Democrats.

While some politicians argue that local control is essential, the parent groups push back, citing a long list of harms associated with school phone use — from mental health struggles to exposure to dangerous online content. “Cell phones in schools pose serious threats to our kids’ capacities to learn, mental health, and social development,” the letter reads.

As The NY Post detailed, the governor’s proposed policy — part of her executive budget plan for 2025-2026 — would enforce a bell-to-bell ban, meaning phones must be locked away from the moment school starts until dismissal. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the budget by April 1.

The letter was signed by several advocacy groups, including Phone Free Action, Parents Collective Inc., and the Phone Free Schools movement. These organizations argue that anything short of a full-day ban risks continued distractions in between classes and during breaks.

“Bell-to-bell policies are crucial because they create lively engagement throughout schools — in hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds,” the letter states. “A classroom-only ban would let kids fall right back into the trap of social media as soon as the bell rings.”

Supporters of Hochul’s policy also highlighted more serious risks associated with unsupervised smartphone use during the school day. These include bullying, exposure to pro-suicide and pro-anorexia content, gambling apps, and even access to illegal drug sales — including fentanyl-laced substances.

The advocates further point to plummeting academic performance, especially in math and reading since the pandemic, as a compelling reason to get phones out of students’ hands. Teachers, they said, shouldn’t have to start each class by policing mobile devices. “Governor Hochul’s plan removes that burden so teachers can focus on teaching — not playing phone cop,” the letter said.

The groups also emphasized that the governor’s proposal doesn’t prevent communication between parents and students. Phones would still be accessible after school or in emergencies, they noted.

But not everyone is on board. Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx), a former teacher who received the parents’ letter, defended his counter-proposal. He argued that local districts should retain decision-making power. “Schools may want the devices in the classroom for educational reasons,” Benedetto said. While he acknowledged Hochul’s intentions, he told The NY Post, “Her plan is totally wrong.”

“Children are neurologically less developed, more impulsive, and more susceptible to addiction than adults,” the advocates said.