John,

Across our nation, kids are being besieged by addictive algorithms, toxic social media, and smartphones that can manipulate their minds like a drug.

I’ve held roundtables in every corner of the state with students, parents, teachers, and experts on the impact of smartphones on learning and our kids' mental health. At one of those roundtables, a young woman said to me: “You have to save us from ourselves.”

Young people are calling for help. As the adults in the room, it's our job to pick up that call – and help them put down the phone. 

I’m proposing a plan to put an end to digital distractions in every public school in New York so our children can focus on learning, not scrolling.

Here are the details:

• Students will be required to put smartphones away and out of sight – not just during homeroom or lunch, but for the entire school day
• Schools will be empowered to develop their own implementation plans and can utilize new funding to purchase storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
• Parents will still be able to contact their child during the day if needed

And law enforcement officials, including our State Police Superintendent, have made it clear: If there’s an emergency at school, a distraction-free environment is safer for students.

This week, I visited Farnsworth Middle School where they already have a distraction-free policy in place. Students and teachers told me that the lunchroom and hallways are loud again because kids are talking to each other instead of looking at their phones.


Our plan stems from one simple truth: When I hear that kids are in need, I will never hesitate to act.

We’ve protected our children before – from cigarettes to alcohol and drunk driving. Now, we’re taking action again, protecting them from the challenges of addictive technology.

Ever Upward,

Gov. Kathy Hochul 

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