Statewide school cellphone bans to go into effect this week

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The 2025-2026 school year will kick off for students across New York State this week. With the new semester also comes the implementation of new school cellphone policies.

In the 2026 Fiscal Year budget, passed in May, New York State allocated over $13 million to help schools implement bell-to-bell cellphone and other internet-enabled device restrictions. School districts had until August 1 to plan and publish their proposals.

In an effort to help parents and students figure out their district’s rules, New York State has set up a website where you can look up your school’s plans. Nearly 1,090 public schools, charter schools and BOCES programs have submitted their policies.

“Our kids succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why schools across New York will be ready to implement bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall,” Hochul said. “As we look ahead to the start of the school year, communication is key — our new online resource is making it easier for parents and students to review their school’s plan.”

Each submitted plan prohibits the unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire academic day, including during class, lunch, study hall periods and other settings. Many school districts plan to use Yondr pouches, while others have taken a different approach.

The phone policy search tool can be found on the New York State website. Additional cellphone ban information can also be found online.