New York City public school students will be prohibited from using cellphones and other personal internet-enabled devices during the school day, beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. The initiative, introduced by Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, supports a broader statewide effort to reduce classroom distractions.
The regulation prohibits the use of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches from the start of the school day until the end of the school day. Students will still be permitted to use their devices while traveling to and from school. Schools will be tasked with implementing the policy and providing secure storage for students’ devices throughout the day.
To support the rollout, the city has allocated $25 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The state is contributing an additional $4.3 million. These funds will help schools implement storage solutions and develop school-specific communication plans that enable families to contact students in emergencies.
Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of removing digital distractions from classrooms, describing cellphones as “distracting, degrading, and dangerous to our young people.” He added that the new citywide policy is “the next step in ensuring students are given the best shot to succeed in school,” building on the state’s earlier efforts to create safe and focused learning environments.
The revised policy includes exceptions for students who require devices for medical reasons, those caring for family members, or students with accommodations under their Individualized Education Programs. Devices may also be used if authorized explicitly for educational purposes.
Reflecting on her experience as both an educator and a parent, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos noted that “constant access to cell phones in the classroom distracts from learning” and has a noticeable effect on students’ mental health beyond the school walls.
City officials held a series of consultations with teachers, school leaders, parents, advocacy groups, and students to shape the new rules. They aimed to ensure the policy responds to the diverse needs of school communities throughout the five boroughs.
