New York’s new Distraction-Free Schools law will take effect this fall, requiring K-12 schools to restrict smartphone use from the first bell to the last.
Governor Kathy Hochul held a roundtable Monday with Hudson Valley school leaders, parents, and students to discuss plans for implementing the policy when the 2025-26 school year begins. The event included representatives from the Enlarged City School District of Middletown and Orange-Ulster BOCES, both of which have finalized their local policies.
Hochul’s office said nearly 1,000 public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES — about 90% of those covered by the mandate — have submitted their distraction-free policies. The remaining schools are expected to finalize theirs in the coming days.
The law prohibits unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices during the entire school day, including lunch and study halls. Schools can choose their own storage methods and will have access to $13.5 million in state funding to purchase storage solutions if needed. The policy allows parents to contact children during the day and includes exemptions for medical needs, IEP requirements, academic use, translation, caregiving, and emergencies.
Hochul pursued the policy after a statewide listening tour. Her report, More Learning, Less Scrolling, concluded that phone-free environments improve focus, creativity, and mental health without compromising safety. Schools must consult teachers, parents, and students in developing their policies, and are encouraged to expand in-person engagement opportunities like clubs, sports, and arts programs.
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