Steyer Statement on New York’s Phone-Free Schools Announcement

NEW YORK, May 6, 2025 — In response to Governor Kathy Hochul's announcement that New York will become the largest state to require statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in schools, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement:

"We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in laying the groundwork for a distraction-free learning environment for New York's kids. Keeping phones out of the classroom is the smart and healthy thing to do, and we strongly supported this proposal. Our research at Common Sense Media supports the idea that students learn best when they aren't distracted by their phones. And while we know technology can support education, we also know that smartphones are designed to keep kids scrolling, not learning or interacting with their peers.

"While minimizing distractions in the classroom will build a better learning environment, education in the digital age also means teaching kids the skills they need to navigate the online world. To this end, lawmakers in Albany should also work to add K-12 digital literacy programs in conjunction with classroom phone bans. Just as kids deserve to be free of distractions in the classroom, they deserve to know how to use their digital devices wisely after the last bell of the day rings.

"We are proud to have been able to lend our support for this policy and we applaud New York for paving the way toward a better learning environment for kids and hope other states will follow its lead."

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