Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled initiatives in her State of the State address to address social media’s effects on young people.
Her “Unplug and Play” program aims to fund playgrounds, community centers, and athletic programs, encouraging kids to engage offline. It builds on her earlier push to regulate algorithms and data use among children.
Hochul also supports creating statewide rules for cell phone use in classrooms. While some lawmakers advocate for a complete ban during school hours, others propose restrictions limited to instructional time. Concerns about emergency contact and after-school logistics remain central to the debate, with calls for collaborative solutions between schools and parents.
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