The academic year 2025-26 will introduce modifications for New York’s 2 million students and 200,000 teachers, as a new statute forbids phone usage. Governor Kathy Hochul’s Distraction Free Schools Initiative, incorporated into the 2026 budget, prohibits “unauthorized use of smartphones and other internet-connected personal devices” within educational institutions. Districts are required to formulate strategies that prevent students from using devices from their arrival until the final bell, referred to as a bell-to-bell exclusion policy, while still allowing parents to communicate with their children. These strategies, backed by a $13.5 million fund designated for screen-free infrastructure, are to be submitted by August 1.

An adjustment phase will be necessary for students, teachers, and parents as they navigate the implications of phone usage. Advocates for screen-free environments, comprising young digital natives and political activists, are committed to ensuring the effectiveness of New York’s mandate—the largest of its nature in the United States.

New York is establishing a Teen Tech Council, including teens and educators in the decision-making process. This council seeks to train and empower teenagers to support the phone prohibition, offering them direct access to the governor. Larissa May, the founder of #HalfTheStory, initiated this concept, evolving her Digital Civics Academy into a statewide initiative.

The council will consist of 750 members, one from each New York school district, acting as liaisons between state objectives and student experiences. They will undergo training and utilize #HalfTheStory’s Social Media U program. Collaborations with technology companies and other states are in the works, with student insights shaping the decisions of policymakers.

The council is compared to ambassadors by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who endorses the effort. She underscores the significance of involving youth in conversations about the influence of technology.

Clinton and Hochul participated in the council’s inauguration at the Clinton Foundation in Manhattan, where high school students exchanged ideas for screen-free programs. The gathering was filled with enthusiasm and respect for the new initiative.

Council member Olivia recognized the difficulties of adjusting to a reduced reliance on technology but highlighted the necessity for a smooth transition. The council aspires to create a new cultural shift that encourages healthier screen habits through actions led by the youth.

The movement advocating for phone restrictions is gaining momentum across the nation, with 14 states, including New York, enacting bans. Larissa May contends that these restrictions should be framed as chances to acquire something beneficial rather than as a loss of something precious.

Governor Hochul and other policymakers are focusing on Big Tech, with the intent to regulate social media algorithms and online marketplaces. Experts caution about the effects of social media and emerging technologies like AI on young individuals.

Hochul reaffirms her dedication to assisting families and shielding children from the effects of social media. Clinton concurs that engaging outspoken teens can enhance efforts for regulatory change.

Teens are now able to apply or be nominated for New York’s Teen Tech Council.