Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Yonkers on August 5 for a roundtable discussion with local educators and stakeholders on what to do about students displaying addictive behavior through their use of cellphones in schools. The Yonkers panel discussion was Hochul’s fifth session held around the state on the subject.
Participants in the Yonkers meeting included: Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano;
State Sen. Shelley Mayer; Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins; Assemblymembers Chris Burdick, Chris Eachus; Nader Sayegh; and Gary Pretlow White Plains Mayor Tom Roach; White Plains School Superintendent Joseph Ricca; Yonkers Associate School Superintendent Michelle Yazurlo; Yonkers Board of Education President Rosalba Corrado DelVecchio; Middletown High School Executive Principal William Donohue; Newburgh Enlarged School District Superintendent Jackielyn Manning Campbell; New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Members Paulette Easterlin, Matt Haynes and MaryClaire Breslin; Yonkers Federation of Teachers President and NYSUT at Large Board Member Samantha Rosado-Ciriello; and Yonkers Council of PTA’s President Robin Brumfield.
“Our young people can succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing – not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said. “I’ve already learned a great deal on this listening tour from educators and parents who want to deliver the best results for our kids. I’m excited to keep working with all stakeholders to develop effective solutions to address smartphones and other devices in New York’s schools.”
Hochul pointed out that her administration has significantly expanded mental health funding and access for young people and their families.
According to Hochul’s office, the challenges presented by cell phones in schools also highlight the ongoing issue of learning loss, especially in the post-pandemic era. They point to studies showing that when a student’s attention is divided between two tasks, such as listening to the teacher and being on internet enabled devices, they recall and retain less of what is being taught.
In June, Governor Hochul signed into law two pieces of legislation designed to help create a safer digital environment for New York’s young people.
The SAFE for Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under 18. Unless parental consent is granted, users under 18 will not receive addictive feeds. This law was the first law of its kind to be signed in any state.
The New York Child Data Protection Act will prohibit online sites and connected devices from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18, unless they receive informed consent or unless doing so is strictly necessary for the purpose of the website.
Hochul said that the various meetings she’s been having on the subject of cellphones in schools will help in developing the best ways to implement the new laws.
