Summary: Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced the implementation of bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions across New York City’s public schools, the nation’s largest school system, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This initiative aligns with New York State’s Distraction-Free Schools law, mandating all K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES to finalize and publish distraction-free policies by August 1, 2025. The policy prohibits unsanctioned smartphone use during the school day, fostering focused learning environments while allowing flexibility for districts to tailor storage solutions and exemptions for medical, educational, or emergency needs. Supported by $13.5 million in state funding and a dedicated website with resources, this collaborative effort, discussed at a roundtable with stakeholders, aims to enhance student engagement, mental health, and academic success statewide.
Distraction-Free Schools: Governor Hochul and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos Highlight Smartphone Restrictions in Nation’s Largest School System Starting This Fall
Follows State’s Distraction-Free Schools Law for Bell-to-Bell Smartphone Restrictions in K-12 Schools Statewide. Governor and Chancellor Host Roundtable with Teachers and Administrators Unions, School Safety Officers and Students to Discuss Implementation for New York City Public Schools. All Public School Districts Statewide Must Publish Their Distraction-Free Policy By August 1. State Launched Website with Policy FAQ, Toolkit and Other Key Information for School Districts as They Finalize Policies
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today highlighted plans for implementing smartphone restrictions across NYC Public Schools – the nation’s largest school system – when students return this fall. The Chancellor’s proposed regulations for NYC Public Schools will be voted on by the NYC Panel for Education Policy (PEP) on July 23.
The NYC Public Schools plan follows the State’s new Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul this year, which requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in K-12 school districts statewide, starting this fall for the 2025-2026 school year. As part of that law, public school districts statewide must finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by August 1. In addition to NYC Public Schools, many other districts across the state have already developed or finalized their policy. The Governor also recently launched a website with a policy FAQ, toolkit and other key information about the State law as a resource for districts as they finalize their policy by the August 1 deadline.
“Our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling – and that’s why New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions on the first day of school,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m pleased that most school districts across the state have either already implemented or are finalizing their distraction-free policy – and my team continues to provide the resources and tools to ensure every district publishes their policy by the August 1 deadline.”
New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramo said, “As New York City Public Schools works to develop an updated cell phone policy for our schools, one thing has been clear: we must remain guided by the diverse needs and input of our school communities, union partners, elected officials, school staff, and most importantly, our students. Today’s roundtable gives us a chance to engage with these stakeholders in a public forum, hear their feedback, and discuss this policy as it’s developed. I am grateful to our participants for sharing their thoughts and to Mayor Eric Adams for making the investments necessary to lead our students into the future.”
Governor Hochul and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos discussed the plans today at a roundtable at Walton High School that included representatives of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), school safety officials, students and other key stakeholders throughout the NYC Public Schools system.
State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “The bell-to-bell cell phone ban will help promote social interaction and will enhance the learning experience, and I appreciate that Governor Hochul has prioritized the viewpoints of students, teachers, and administrators in this discussion. Today’s students face challenges that are unfamiliar to previous generations and it is crucial that schools and students have the flexibility and resources necessary to implement this plan, along with clear guidelines and expectations for the ban.”
State Senator John Liu said, “Taking cell phones out of schools from bell-to-bell is the right move to keep our kids free from distractions. As cell phones become more entwined with our daily lives, we’ve only recently come to truly understand how harmful they can be, especially with social media, for our kids’ concentration, mental health, and ability to learn. Kudos to the Governor and NYC Schools Chancellor for listening to the teachers, parents, and even the students, who all agree that schools without cell phones are the best path forward for a smarter, healthier, and more focused student body.”
“Our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling – and that’s why New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions on the first day of school.”
Governor Kathy Hochul
State Senator Robert Jackson said, “As a lifelong advocate for public education and equity, I stand in full support of New York’s new Distraction-Free Schools law. Our children deserve learning environments rooted in focus, safety, and connection—not in constant digital noise. In a world engineered to keep young minds endlessly scrolling, this policy protects their right to pause, to breathe, and to be fully present. This is not about punishment—it’s about possibility. It gives students the structure to thrive, families the reassurance they deserve, and educators the clarity to reclaim classrooms as spaces for growth and discovery. I commend Governor Hochul and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for advancing a policy that’s thoughtful, flexible, and grounded in equity. This is how we restore attention, protect potential, and build schools that meet this generation with both compassion and clarity.”
Assemblymember George Alvarez said, “As a proud advocate for educational equity and student well-being, I fully support the implementation of the Distraction-Free Schools law and applaud Governor Hochul and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for their leadership. Limiting unsanctioned smartphone use during the school day is a critical step toward creating focused, respectful learning environments where all students can thrive. This policy strikes the right balance, protecting instructional time while ensuring families can still reach their children when needed. I look forward to seeing its thoughtful rollout across New York City and the entire state.”
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said, “The science is clear – our children’s mental health is being damaged by the endless stream of social media they are exposed to on their cellphones and devices. With this new law, we hope to make schools a safer space, free of the distractions that get in the way of teaching, learning and the human connection.”
Council of School Supervisors and Administrators President Henry D. Rubio said, “Our school leaders know firsthand how excessive cell phone use can disrupt learning and impact student well-being. Governor Hochul’s commitment to a distraction-free school day is a powerful step forward, and we’re grateful that she and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos are engaging all stakeholders in shaping how this policy will be implemented. We know the success of this initiative will depend on thoughtful planning, consistent protocols, and the resources needed to support our schools, especially larger campuses with more complex needs. If we get the rollout right, balancing the need for focus during the day with peace of mind after school and in emergencies, then we have the opportunity to create a safer and more connected school experience for every student.”
New York City Public Schools Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships Mark Rampersant said, “As Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships at New York City Public Schools, I have seen firsthand the impact student cell phone use in our schools can have on not just their mental health, but their physical safety as well. I’ve also seen the impact that cell phone collection has on culture and climate in schools – increased engagement between students, better mental health outcomes, and more focused classrooms. By crafting policy in partnership with our community, as demonstrated today, we are working together to build a safer and healthier schools experience for our kids.”
This new requirement will take place in the 2025-26 School Year and applies to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
Governor Hochul’s cellphone policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York including:
- Prohibits 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
- Allows 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
- Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day when necessary
- Requires teachers, parents and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Prevents inequitable discipline
Governor Hochul’s policy clarifies that students will have 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.
July 16, 2025
Albany, NY
Sources: governor.ny.gov , Big New York news BigNY.com
