By Forum Staff
The City recently announced an updated “Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy,” the implementation of which will provide for a citywide standard for distraction-free schools starting this coming academic year. This change—part of proposed amendments to Chancellor’s Regulation A-413—was approved by the Panel for Educational Policy last Wednesday night to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students and align with a recent mandate passed by the State Legislature.
Under the revised regulation, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, personal internet-enabled devices—such as smartphones, tablets, and smart watches—cannot be used during the school day by students. Students can use their devices when traveling to and from school, but they must be turned off and put away during the school day. As part of the revised policy, schools will be required to provide at least one method for families to reach their children during the school day in the case of an emergency, provide a secure way to store devices, and annually provide staff and families with information about school-specific policies.
Additionally, the updated Chancellor’s Regulations include specific exceptions to the policy for students who need devices for medical reasons, are responsible for the care of a family member, have a stipulation in their Individual Education Program, or if a device is authorized for a specific educational purpose.
“Our kids are in school to learn, but, too often, cell phones are used in manners that are distracting, degrading, and dangerous to our young people. The state cell phone ban was the first step in putting our kids back on track to learn and thrive in safe, nurturing environments, and this new cell phone policy is the next step in ensuring students are given the best shot to succeed in school,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We know that excessive cell phone use is harmful to our children’s concentration and mental health, and, with this new policy, we will finally reduce distractions as we help our students reach their full potential. We are proud to have engaged in a thorough citywide process that balances the learning needs of our students with the safety concerns of our families.
Adams has allocated $25 million to help with implementation of the policy at the 1,600 public schools across the five boroughs in the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget. The State has allocated $4.3 million to help with implementation.
The updated regulation comes on the heels of multi-year consultations with school communities and alongside the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop policies. Following recent changes in State law, over the previous six weeks, City Public Schools has been working together with partners across the city to institutionalize a long-lasting and equitable policy focused on dovetailing with specific school communities. In the early stages of this policy, City Public Schools partnered with the PEP, advisory councils, parent leaders, elected officials, unions, advocacy groups, teachers, principals, superintendents, and students.
“As an educator and a parent, I have seen firsthand how constant access to cell phones in the classroom distracts from learning, divides attention, and significantly impacts our students’ mental health, inside schools and at home. I am proud to be introducing a policy that takes input from unions and advocacy groups, families, community members, and our students into account,” said City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.
