Follows State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law for Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide
86% of Schools Across New York Have Submitted Their Distraction-Free Policy to Date
Remaining Schools Expected To Finalize Policy in the Coming Days at Upcoming School Board Meetings
Governor Kathy Hochul today held a roundtable with Finger Lakes region school leaders, parents and students to highlight their plans for implementing bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions when school resumes this fall. The roundtable included representatives of Monroe-2 Orleans BOCES, Rochester City School District, Greece Central School District, Holley Central School District and Spencerport Central School District — all of whom have already finalized their distraction-free policy. Today’s event follows previous roundtables held by the Governor this summer in New York City, the Capital Region and Central New York, with additional roundtables to come before the start of school.
Governor Hochul also highlighted that, as of today, nearly 950 public school districts, charter schools and BOCES across New York State have submitted their distraction-free policy to State education officials — representing 86 percent of the 1,098 total districts and schools covered by the statewide requirement. The nearly 950 policy submissions to date include nearly 650 policy submissions from public school districts across the state. Additional districts and schools are expected to finalize their policy in the coming days at upcoming school board meetings scheduled for August.
“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to provide the resources and support to ensure that every school finalizes and publishes their distraction-free policy in the coming days.”
The Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.
Governor Hochul’s policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:
- Prohibiting unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day (from “bell to bell”), including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods
- Allowing schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students
- Securing $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requiring schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requiring teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Preventing inequitable discipline
State Senator Samra Brouk said, “As Chair of the Senate Mental Health Committee, I recognize the harmful effects of prolonged cell phone use on the mental health of our young people, particularly in classroom settings. With bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in place during school hours, students will engage in distraction free learning, focus on individual growth, and improve learning outcomes."
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “We’ve heard from our teachers that the best way to keep our students engaged, focused, and safe from online threats and bullying is to keep their minds on books, not screens. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s leadership on the ‘bell-to-bell’ smartphone restriction and for visiting our region to discuss ways we can propel our students to success.”
Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, “I am proud to have worked with Governor Hochul, County Executive Bello, NYSUT, and my colleagues in the Greater Rochester Majority Delegation to make New York one of the first states in the nation to remove smartphones from our classrooms. With Bell-to-Bell in place, Rochester and Monroe County schools will once again be places where students can focus on learning and engage in the face-to-face communications and interactions which are invaluable for social development and relationship building.”
Assemblymember Jen Lunsford said, “When cell phones are used in schools during the day students are distracted: they are more anxious, bullying increases, peer-to-peer interaction decreases and learning is impacted. I support the state's goal of distraction free schools and joined the Governor in helping pass this policy in the budget this year. While this adjustment will take some getting used to for some, dozens of studies show the positive impacts on students and the school experience when cellphones are banned bell-to-bell. With flexible implementation and funding to support the transition, I am optimistic that we will have a smooth, stress-free start to the school year.”
Assemblymember Josh Jensen said, “It's critically important we work to ensure New York's education system continues to keep learning at the forefront. I was proud to work in a bipartisan fashion with the governor and my colleagues in the state legislature to make the distraction-free school measure a reality — empowering educators to focus on teaching and enabling students to build a strong educational foundation free from unnecessary distractions.”
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Governor Hochul’s plan to restrict cell phone use during the school day is a commonsense measure that puts student’s mental health, safety, and academic success first. Our schools should be a place of focus, connection, and learning. Study after study shows that constant cell phone use is contributing to anxiety, depression, bullying, and a sharp decline in academic performance and attention spans. We owe it to our kids to create learning environments that set them up for success—socially, emotionally, and academically. This ban will create boundaries to help our students thrive.”
Monroe County School Boards Association Executive Director Amy Thomas said, “The Monroe County School Boards Association welcomes Governor Hochul’s statewide policy aimed at creating distraction-free learning environments in New York’s schools. Limiting the unsanctioned use of smartphones and personal internet-enabled devices during the school day is a meaningful step toward improving student engagement, focus, and well-being. We appreciate the policy’s comprehensive framework, which includes dedicated funding for implementation, opportunities for parent and educator input, and clear guidance to ensure equitable and thoughtful application across all districts. Importantly, the policy allows for flexibility at the local level and includes appropriate exemptions to support students with medical, academic, or family-related needs. This initiative reflects a balanced and student-centered approach, and we look forward to supporting our member districts as they implement these plans in the fall.”
"Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York State will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall.”
Rochester City School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, “This isn’t just about removing phones from the instructional environment. It’s about putting our students first. Every minute they are not distracted is a minute we can use to unlock potential, to build relationships, and to cultivate the kind of focus that leads to improved student outcomes. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking bold statewide action and inviting Rochester to be part of this critical conversation.”
Greece Central School District Superintendent Jeremy Smalline said, “The Greece Central School District has prohibited personal electronic devices in classrooms since 2022. Reducing distractions in the classroom has made our students more attentive, engaged, and connected. Staff, students, and families have embraced the policy, highlighting the positive results of thoughtful change. We're encouraged to see Governor Hochul take distraction-free learning statewide as our experience proves this approach leads to better outcomes for our students.”
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Putnam said, “Students deserve environments that support focus, creativity and meaningful connection. In developing our policy, we gathered feedback from nearly 300 students, staff and family members. The final result reflects shared priorities of safety, learning, equity and consistency while honoring calls for flexibility, compassion and transparency.”
Holley Central School District Superintendent Karri Schiavone said, “We want to acknowledge the governor’s efforts and thank her for listening to how Holley will support students and families during implementation of this new policy. We are proud of the thoughtful and comprehensive plan we developed locally with extensive input from our community and staff members.”
Greece Central School District Teacher's Association President and NYSUT Board of Directors Member Brian Ebertz said, “Creating distraction-free schools is essential not only for fostering a focused and successful learning environment, but also for safeguarding our students from the harmful effects of social media, cyberbullying, and other outside pressures. By reducing these distractions, we give our children the best chance to learn, grow, and thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Golisano Children’s Hospital Chair of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief Jill Halterman, MD, MPH said, “At Golisano Children’s Hospital, our pediatric healthcare team is committed to caring for the whole child and supporting efforts that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development. Creating a learning environment that reduces distractions can help students stay more engaged both academically and socially. We appreciate efforts that prioritize children’s well-being and support both their educational and developmental outcomes.”
Governor Hochul’s policy allows authorized access to simple cellphones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
Additionally, the Governor’s policy includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), for academic purposes or for other legitimate purposes, such as translation, family caregiving and emergencies.
Governor Hochul pursued this initiative after engaging in a statewide listening tour with teachers, parents and students. Her report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” underscores the following:
- Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
- Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
- Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
- Open communication and direct guidance for all stakeholders is key for successful implementation
- Schools must address any parent concerns about staying in contact with their children during the day
- An effective distraction-free policy must focus on the entire school day, rather than solely on time in the classroom
- Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming