Subject:
Support Cellphone Restrictions in Schools!
Message:
Dear Legislator:
As a constituent who cares deeply about public education and the mental health of our students, I urge you to support the 2025-26 executive budget proposal to remove smartphones from the classroom.
In school hallways, cellphones are almost as ubiquitous as backpacks, and families, educators, administrators and mental health professionals agree that the constant use of personal electronics severely disrupts learning during the school day.
Under the governor's proposal, school districts, BOCES and charter schools would be required to adopt policies to prohibit the use of non-school-issued internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones, during the school day—from bell to bell. Schools would be required to provide on-site storage of devices and develop a process for parents to contact students during school hours. The proposal does include limited exemptions for instructional purposes, student health needs and translation services. By implementing these restrictions, we can give students approximately seven hours each school day to be fully present and free from the pressures of phones and social media.
Cellphones interfere with students' academic performance, social and emotional growth and mental health. These devices not only hamper students' ability to focus on lessons but also deprive them of crucial opportunities for face-to-face communication and genuine connection. When students are on their cellphones, they can be exposed to toxic content, cyberbullying, exploitation and unrealistic standards.
Schools that have already implemented similar policies report dramatic improvements in student engagement, mental health and overall school climate. In the absence of cellphones, students are more focused on learning from their teachers and each other, creating a transformed educational environment.
While the executive budget proposal allocates $13.5 million to support schools in implementing this vital initiative, the Legislature should consider additional funding for this important program to ensure that policies can be effectively adopted and consistently enforced without diverting resources from other vital programs.
Thank you for your continued support of public education and student mental health. I respectfully ask that you bring up this issue with your conference and I would greatly appreciate a response to this email.
Sincerely,
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