When my daughter walks into her school, she goes to the principal’s office and hands over her phone. For the rest of the day, she’s freed from the compulsive, habit-forming pull of digital screens. If she needs to get in touch with me or my wife urgently, all she has to do is head upstairs and ask for her phone back.
The impact has been remarkable, and not just at school. Without the constant pull of her phone during the school day, she’s developed healthier technology habits overall.
But in our state, her school is the exception, not the rule. Most students attend schools lacking any comprehensive cell phone policy. That’s a huge problem. The evidence is clear: that these devices are harmful to their mental health, social development, and academic achievement. Digital technology has revolutionized our world in countless positive ways, but its effect on our children has been devastating.
That’s why I’ve founded Phone Free New York. We applaud Gov. Hochul who has taken a bold stand proposing a comprehensive “bell to bell” policy restricting phones so we can have a distraction-free learning environment for all.
The statistics are alarming: teen mental health has plummeted since the widespread adoption of social media, with a particularly sharp decline following the pandemic’s surge in screen time. Researchers, especially Jonathan Haidt in his book, “The Anxious Generation,” have issued stark warnings about the dangers social media and digital tech pose to our children, showing the strong correlation between social media use and rising rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among our kids.
This is a crisis that demands immediate action. Unfortunately Congress failed to pass the Kids Online Safety Act which would have restricted social media algorithms from preying on our children. But at least eight states have already enacted measures restricting student phone use in schools, with many more considering similar policies. From California to Florida, Virginia to Minnesota, there’s growing recognition that protecting our children from technology’s downsides isn’t a partisan issue.
Some parents, understandably, will argue that cell phone policies would prevent them from contacting their children in an emergency. But consider this. In a crisis, would you rather have your child staring at a screen trying to catch a video of in-school chaos or focused on the adult in the room and following the emergency protocols to get to safety?
We have countless examples of schools — many here in New York City — where principals have shown courage and adopted a bell to bell policy. The results are remarkable. Bullying has decreased, social engagement has increased and most importantly, classroom leaning has improved.
The governor’s proposal provides necessary exceptions for students who have disabilities and require assistive technology, are dealing with medical conditions (like diabetics who rely on their phone to track their insulin), and so on.
This is a rare opportunity for our elected officials to do something historic that will have immediate and long term results for years to come. I’m confident our legislators can get it done.
It’s important we recognize that this push to stop cell phones from interfering with our children’s social lives and learning isn’t about demonizing technology or returning to some imagined past. I’m a tech CEO. I love innovation and building products that enable us to live longer, happier, healthier, more productive lives than previous generations. But I’m a parent first. We need to create healthy boundaries for our children to learn, grow, and develop healthy relationships with technology and each other.
That’s why this isn’t a partisan issue. Parents, educators, and legislators across the political spectrum are recognizing that without smart policies, excessive and inappropriate technology use harms our children. New York can and should be at the forefront of addressing this challenge.
We have a proud history of leading public health initiatives. When we banned smoking in bars and restaurants in 2003, 35 states followed within five years. In aggregate, that policy sea change saved thousands of lives. We can lead again and protect children’s mental health and education — the sooner the better.
Every child deserves the chance to learn without the constant distraction and psychological burden of social media and smartphones. The eyes of the nation always look to New York. It’s time for us to lead the way toward a future where our schools prioritize learning, mental health, and real human connection once again.
Goyle is the founder of Phone Free New York, co-chair of the Five Boro Institute and a former Kansas state representative.