WABC reports:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering a ban on smartphones in New York schools to keep children safe and make sure their attention is on learning.
The governor says it is harmful for kids to scroll through their social media feeds — especially during school hours.
“Why are our young people on their devices all day long during school hours?” Hochul asked during an interview on MSNBC on Thursday morning. “How are they learning?”
Hochul says addictive algorithms make young people prisoners in a space where they are cut off from social connections.
She is suggesting a low-tech solution — flip phones without internet access — so parents can still call or text if there is an emergency.
Hochul said she will likely submit a bill later this year so that lawmakers can vote on it in next year’s legislative session.
Until then, she plans to talk to parents and educators.
“I want to have conversations first, I think talking to the parents, I have already, this is something they would welcome,” she said.
New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks said phone usage in public schools is a school-by-school policy that will be readdressed in light of Hochul’s proposed ban.
“Kids are on these phones 24 hours a day, and there is all types of research that is coming in, talking about all the negative impacts that its having on them,” Banks said. “In light of what the governor just said, I think it’s incumbent on us to absolutely start exploring these issues.”
VIDEO:
Great idea
They should buy flip phones
Like Lakewood
Should be a move in the right direction.
great idea
Hochul get lost stay out our business!!
Useless governor
Or how about enforcing the existing laws?
Chabad schools should’ve been doing this 5 years ago. If we need the governor to be the one to pull it off, better her than nothing at all
In 770 the hanhala has banned all smart phones
It’s insane that it’s taken this long and a major shortcoming that our schools aren’t enforcing similar rules in school. If you want to give your child access to a smartphone that’s on your cheshbon. Why should the school need to deal with it and why should the rest of their peers have to to feel like that’s an expectation for them too.
We think our generation is doing better than our parent. Instead our kids have parents , teachers , therapists, sports coaches , and everyone in between addicted to their phones. Today kids are (barely ) heard and not seen. Kids play one screens and nothing else. So so sad.
But kids are seen more