A large majority of New York teachers say the state’s cellphone ban has dramatically improved classroom environments, with students more focused, more engaged, and less distracted during the first year of the policy’s implementation.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the results Monday during a roundtable discussion at PS 383 Middle School in Brooklyn, revealing that 76% of approximately 600 public school teachers surveyed gave positive reviews to the phone-free school initiative.

The policy, which took effect in September, requires students in public and charter schools across New York State to store their phones in monitored bins, lockers, or secured pouches throughout the school day.

According to the survey, teachers reported significant improvements in student behavior and classroom participation. Educators said students are more engaged in lessons, contribute more frequently to discussions, and collaborate better with classmates.

“They’re participating in class discussions, and teachers can finally teach,” Hochul said. “We have finally kids talking to each other.”

The governor, one of the strongest advocates of the cellphone restrictions, said the measure was largely driven by concerns raised directly by students.

“‘You have to save us from ourselves,’” Hochul recalled one student telling her. She said many students felt trapped by the social pressures and constant distractions created by smartphones.

Teachers also reported benefits beyond academics. Sixty percent said bullying incidents declined noticeably during the school year, while 80% observed improvements in students’ social interactions and relationships with one another.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents said the policy improved their ability to teach effectively.

The survey reflected feedback from educators across the state, with 47% of responses coming from New York City teachers and 53% from teachers elsewhere in New York.

State officials have described the law, passed in 2025, as one of the strongest cellphone restriction policies in the nation. Supporters argue that removing phones from classrooms helps students focus on learning, reduces social pressures, and encourages healthier face-to-face interactions.

The survey results are likely to strengthen calls for similar policies in other states, as educators continue to grapple with the impact of smartphones and social media on students’ academic performance and mental well-being.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)