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Why This Matters

Across the state, educators have seen firsthand the disruption and distraction that cellphones and smart devices bring to our classrooms. From lost instruction time to increased anxiety and isolation among students, the impact has been clear and troubling.

That’s why NYSUT successfully fought for the statewide, bell-to-bell, distraction-free learning law that takes effect this year. As a result of this legislation, districts will be required to restrict smart devices during the school day. Districts will be empowered to develop their own policies, storage plans, and provisions for parent communications.

The policies will go into effectd for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, and applies to all schools in public school districts as well as charter schools and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).

Overview of the solution

Bell-to-Bell policies for 2025 in all schools  

Bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions, as required in New York state, are proven to work, with far-reaching benefits for students of all ages. Bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions have already been successfully implemented in schools across the country with great results.

Schools report significant improvement in several areas.

ACADEMIC BENEFITS

  • Increased student focus and engagement in classroom activities
  • Higher academic performance and test scores
  • More efficient use of instructional time (educators no longer policing phones)
  • Quicker completion of classwork and assignments
  • Enhanced face-to-face peer interactions

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

  • Improved lunchroom socialization and hallway interactions
  • Development of stronger communication skills
  • Decreased social anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out)
  • Reduced cyberbullying incidents

INSTRUCTIONAL BENEFITS

  • Fewer discipline referrals (schools reported a 44 percent decrease after phone restrictions have been adopted)
  • Less mid-class absenteeism (fewer bathroom requests to check phones)

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS

  • Decreased student stress and anxiety
  • Reduction in social media-related drama
  • Decline in bullying (studies show 43-46 percent reduction after phone restrictions have been adopted)
  • Fewer mental health-related visits to school counselors

BENEFITS FOR EDUCATORS

  • Seven hours daily free from social media pressures
  • Protection from harmful online content during school hours
  • Improved educator morale and job satisfaction
  • Increased instructional time Better educator retention
  • More meaningful student-educator interactions

Parents, teachers and administrators consistently report that after an initial adjustment period, both students and their families come to appreciate the positive changes that come with a phone-free school environment, and the documented benefits—improved mental health, reduced bullying, better academic performance, and enhanced social development—far outweigh the minor adjustments to communication routines.