Tech:NYC’s Statement in Support of Governor Kathy Hochul’s Proposal to Restrict Smartphone Use in Schools
February 6, 2025
Tech:NYC released the following statement in support of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools and to ensure distraction-free learning.
“Today Tech:NYC is proud to announce its support for Governor Hochul's proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools and to ensure distraction-free learning. The Governor’s bold proposal smartly allows for flexibility for schools to develop their own plans, giving teachers and principals the ability to do what works best for their students, and equipping them with the necessary resources to carry out implementation. Such a proposal is nimble, achievable, and a commonsense solution for distraction-free learning. We encourage New York’s Legislature to pass the Governor’s plan as part of the State budget.
“Tech:NYC believes that technology has unparalleled advantages for connecting people with information; and with the advent of AI and other emerging technologies, it is critical that our students learn digital media literacy and receive training in tech tools so that they can succeed tomorrow. We look forward to working with the Governor to ensure that technology is used to boost the learning experience in the classroom, rather than disrupt it.”
— Julie Samuels, President & CEO, Tech:NYC
About Tech:NYC’s support for restricting smartphone use in schools
Tech:NYC represents more than 550 New York tech companies, startups, and investors, ranging from the biggest tech companies in the world to the smallest startups. Tech:NYC previously announced its support for a smartphone ban in classrooms in October.
Tech:NYC appreciates that the Governor considered its and others’ concerns and conducted a robust listening tour with all stakeholders, resulting in an illuminating report about the use of smartphones in schools and potential solutions to this growing problem. The Governor is clearly focused on implementing policies that tackle the issue head on while ensuring schools can continue to keep up with the swift pace of innovation.