Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 31
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is taking her statewide listening tour to Yonkers on Monday, as she considers banning the use of smartphones in schools across the state.
The listening tour is to hear from students, parents, and teachers about the effects of social media use on their mental health.
It is no secret that cellphones can be a See page 15 to cul. 2
distraction for students in classrooms. In fact, according to a recent Pew Research poll, 72% of teachers across the nation say phones hinder learning.
The question though is how to implement a cell phone ban?
To navigate that question Gov. Hochul said she wanted to hear from students, parents, and teachers across the state — and on Monday she stopped in Yonkers.
Several school districts in Westchester County have already implemented cellphone bans, including Newburgh.
The superintendent there said they have already seen a reduction in social anxiety and an increase in positive student engagement both in classrooms and with their peers..
Experts say social media instigates fights and feeds the frenzy of attention.
The governor is working with the state legislature on a bill early next year as part of her “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign. As for how to implement the ban, the state has yet to determine that, but several school districts in Westchester County have students place their phones in pouches which stay locked until the end of the day.
New York City Public Schools is also considering some restrictions on cellphone use by students during classes.
Source: ABC7 News
