Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a new website — ny.gov/phonefree — where families can look up how individual New York schools will enforce the state’s new smartphone restrictions this fall.
The law bans personal internet-enabled devices during the school day in all public K–12 schools. Rather than impose a one-size-fits-all rule, districts must create their own storage and enforcement plans with input from parents, teachers, and students.
Exceptions include medical needs, IEPs, emergencies, and school-issued devices. The state is providing $13.5 million for storage equipment.