We’re halfway through July and the NYC DOE Calendar for 2025-2026 has been released, which can only mean two things: 1. summer is (sadly) coming to a close, and 2. before we know it school will be in session once again. But as New York Public Schools gear up for a new school year, they’re doing so minus one thing: cellphones.
Former New York City schools Chancellor David Banks first hinted at a cellphone ban in June of 2024, and Governor Kathy Hochul has been discussing it ever since. On July 16th 2025, Hochul and current NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos held a roundtable discussion with teachers, administrators, and students to discuss the ban and how things will play out. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the new school cellphone ban?
The New York Public Schools cellphone ban follows New York State’s new Distraction-Free Schools law signed by Governor Hochul this year, which requires bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions. The ban is part of Hochul’s commitment to protecting youth mental health and promoting student success in the digital age.
The cellphone policy creates a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York, including:
- No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day, including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall
- Allows schools to develop theirown plans for storing smartphones during the day
- Secures $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free
- Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed
- Requires teachers, parents, and students to be consulted in developing the local policy
- Prevents inequitable discipline
What schools does the cellphone ban apply to?
The cellphone ban will be implemented in K-12 public schools statewide.
When will the cellphone ban go into effect?
The cellphone ban will go into effect this fall for the 2025-2026 school year.
What are the next steps for implementing the cellphone ban?
The Chancellor’s proposed regulations for NYC Public Schools will be voted on by the NYC Panel for Education Policy (PEP) on Wednesday, July 23rd. Public school districts statewide must then finalize and publish their distraction-free policy by Friday, August 1st. Hochul stated:…