New York parents urge support for statewide smartphone ban

Parents in New York are urging state lawmakers to support a complete ban on smartphones in schools, proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul. They are worried that some lawmakers might weaken the plan, which would require phones to be stored away for the entire school day. Currently, some legislators are considering bills that would allow local school districts to decide their own rules about cellphone use. Parents are concerned that this could lead to situations where phones are allowed during lunch or between classes, which they believe would undermine the ban's effectiveness. In a letter addressed to key lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the parents argued that allowing phones even briefly could distract students and hinder their engagement in school activities. They claim that limiting phone use only during class would be ineffective, as students would still have access to their devices at other times. The governor's proposal is part of her budget plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Lawmakers are expected to finalize the budget by April 1. Parent advocacy groups highlighted the negative impact of cellphones on students' learning and mental health, pointing to issues like bullying and exposure to harmful content online. Despite the advocates' plea, some lawmakers, like Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto, believe schools should dictate their smartphone policies. Benedetto, a former teacher, argues that schools may have valid educational reasons to allow phone use in certain situations. He believes that student voices should also be considered in this decision.