New York is now the largest state to pass a universal, K12 cellphone ban in schools. Oklahoma took similar action earlier this week, enacting a one-year ban for the upcoming school year.
New York’s bell-to-bell “distraction-free schools” policy comes with $13.5 million in funding for cellphone storage and require districts to ensure parents can contact their children during the school day.
“I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said about the ban, which is part of a state budget deal.
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New York’s cellphone ban covers the entire school day, barring the devices from classrooms, lunchrooms, study halls and all other periods. Schools and districts have leeway to develop plans to store students’ phones and will receive $13.5 million in state assistance.
School and district leaders must also work with parents and students to determine how parents will contact children while in school. The ban comes after a state report found cellphones significantly distracted students, harmed their mental health and posed no risk to student safety when absent.
“Schools can strengthen their distraction-free environment by connecting more students with in-person engagement like clubs, sports, arts and other programming,” the report concluded.
Oklahoma’s cellphone ban and other action
Oklahoma’s bell-to-bell ban covers only the 2025-26 school year but allows local school boards to enact longer-term restrictions.
Florida’s legislature passed a bill earlier this month that would ban cellphones for elementary and middle schoolers, while other legislation would create a pilot program restricting phones in high schools, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Utah has banned cellphones during class time—meaning students will have access to their devices during recess and lunch—while Arkansas passed a bell-to-bell restriction in February.
