Hochul Announces Plan For ‘Bell-to-Bell’ Cellphone Ban In Schools

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has included a statewide cell-phone ban plan in New York's $254 million state budget.

Beginning next September, if approved, schools will be implementing a cell-phone ban that would restrict students from using their phones from opening bell to closing bell.

“We are protecting them from addictive technology designed to hijack their attention. Cell phones have dragged too many of our kids into dark places. Together with this change in policy, we are helping them climb back into the light,” Hochul said.

Additional details on the ban have not released.

Back in March, Mayor Eric Adams said he wanted to have a cell phone ban in place in city schools by next school year, Patch previously reported.

During a press conference at P.S. 35 in the Bronx, Adams told reporters that he strongly "believes cell phones should be banned in school."

The mayor said his goal is to have a policy in place by the fall of 2025 in time for the upcoming school year.

“The science is clear that cell phones are really distracting our students, our teachers, and it’s adding to bullying. It creates an unhealthy environment," Adams added.

Back in August, Adams disclosed that the city would not be implementing a cellphone ban for the latest school year, Patch previously reported.

New York would join eight other states: California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia that have implemented similar bans.

Lawmakers still have to approve the tentative budget agreement.