New York Students Will Benefit With Governors Plan to Eliminate Cellphones in Classrooms


LOS ANGELES (January 23, 2025) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) said that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to eliminate cellphone use during the school day for children and teens is a wise move that will benefit their educational experiences.

Written by PTC Published January 23, 2025

LOS ANGELES (January 23, 2025) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) said that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to eliminate cellphone use during the school day for children and teens is a wise move that will benefit their educational experiences.

“Cellphones in classrooms are nothing but digital distractions. We are pleased to see New York move in a direction that will benefit and prioritize student learning and achievement, and we urge the state to implement Governor Hochul’s proposal,” said Melissa Henson, vice president, Parents Television and Media Council.

“Children’s health and well-being are being harmed by addictive technology and social media. While online, children can be exposed to predators, sexually explicit and graphically violent content, and powerful algorithms that feed harmful content to children. It is time for schools to be cellphone-free zones so that our children’s education can be maximized,” she said.

A PTC whitepaper, Smartphones in the Classroom: What States are Doing to Confront These Digital Distractions (July 2024), revealed that 28 U.S. states have made efforts to eliminate or restrict cellphones in classrooms, and includes a parents’ guide on how to advocate for more restrictive cellphone policies in schools.

In August 2024, the National Education Association revealed that 90% of its members “support school policy prohibiting cell phone/personal devices during instructional time,” and cited several concerns, including that smartphones are distracting, social media use impacts the mental health of students, and that smartphones can be weaponized against classmates and teachers. A Pew Research Center study that found “68% of U.S. adults say they support a ban on middle and high school students using cellphones during class."

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