New York Governor Kathy Hochul initiated a statewide youth mental health listening tour with a roundtable discussion at Guilderland High School in Albany County on Monday. The focus of the session was to address the impact of smartphone use in schools.
“I met with parents, educators, local leaders, and advocates to discuss the challenge of cell phones in schools and their effect on our children’s education,” Hochul stated. “We questioned whether this is the environment we want for our children’s learning. Two years ago, I began holding mental health listening sessions with teenagers to understand why suicide, depression, and anxiety rates were so high. We concluded that addictive social media algorithms were significantly impacting the mental health of children and teens. This conclusion was also supported by the U.S. Surgeon General. These sessions led us to confront social media companies.”
In June, Governor Hochul signed two bills regulating social media use. These laws make it illegal for social media companies to use addictive algorithms for users under 18 and prohibit the collection and sale of children’s personal data without parental consent. Supporters argue that social media apps negatively affect young people’s mental health.
Hochul referred to a Pew Research poll released in June, indicating that 72 percent of high school teachers nationwide see student distraction by cell phones as a major classroom problem.
“The same study found that 95% of 13- to 17-year-olds have access to smartphones, receiving over 250 notifications daily on average,” Hochul noted. “As the first mom governor of New York, I am naturally concerned about our children’s safety. This generation faces unprecedented distractions with constant screen time, leading to experiences of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, a fellow Democrat and panelist, emphasized the need for action to prevent cell phone distractions among students.
“Contrary to the belief that kids need cell phones for safety and parental connection, their mental health safety is paramount,” Sheehan stated. “Evidence shows that cell phones contribute to distractions, cyberbullying, and isolation, harming our children. It’s time to address this issue.”
A study by Common Sense Media found that children aged 11 to 17 spend an average of 4.5 hours daily on their phones.
Hochul praised the Schoharie School District’s policy banning all distractions, including earbuds, smartwatches, smartphones, and flip phones.
“Schoharie implemented this policy two years ago despite initial parental opposition,” Hochul explained. “They involved law enforcement to reassure parents that in emergencies like an active shooter scenario, children are safer without the distraction of a cell phone, allowing them to follow trained adults’ instructions.”
Schoharie Central School District Superintendent David Blanchard highlighted the connection between cell phone access and students’ reactions to school events.
“When students have full access to their phones, they can experience anxiety from disruptive events, which negatively impacts their learning environment and mental health,” Blanchard said.
Governor Hochul plans months of discussions with school officials to establish rules and regulations for student cell phone use. She promises to use the insights gathered during the listening tour to shape a statewide policy proposal to be announced later this year.
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