New York Governor Kathy Hochul is holding a statewide listening tour to address smartphone use in schools. In June, the governor signed two bills to regulate social media. The bills make it illegal for social media companies to use addictive algorithms for users under 18 and prevent companies from collecting and selling children’s personal data without parental consent.
Hochul says a Pew Research poll finds 72% of high school teachers nationwide say that students being distracted by cell phones is a major problem in their classroom. The same study found that 95% of 13-to-17-year-olds have access to smartphones, and they’re receiving over 250 notifications per day.
Hochul says months of discussions with educators and parents are planned to establish rules and regulations for students and cell phones, and the Governor says she’ll use all the information she gathers to shape a statewide policy proposal to be announced later this year.
Watch Governor Hochul’s Speech on Smart Phone Use in Schools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQEzxON2ujA