61% of NY voters support a cellphone ban in schools: Poll
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NEW YORK (PIX11) – A majority of New York voters support a cellphone ban in public schools, according to new polling from Siena College Research Institute.
Some 61% of all voters support the ban on cellphone use in K-12 schools, which is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 budget. The budget was due on April 1, but has not yet been passed.
Siena College’s polling released Tuesday reveals broad, bipartisan support. Some 61% of Democrats and Independents support the ban, as well as 62% of Republican voters.
Under the policy, students would turn in their phones at the start of the school day and pick them up after their last class, meaning even lunch and study hall periods are phone-free. Schools will be required to provide a way for parents to contact their kids.
Hochul proposed the ban in January when she unveiled her 2026 executive budget. If passed, the ban would start next school year, Hochul said in January. The project will cost the state $13.5 million to help schools store phones from “bell-to-bell.”
The policy has support from the United Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers, leaders of which say restricting cellphone use will help with mental health and focus.
“Research consistently shows that reducing screen time during the school day, bell-to-bell, leads to better academic performance, stronger in-person connections, and a significant decrease in bullying and social pressures,” said Long Island Coalition Against Bullying Founder Joseph Salamone.
Many states have already implemented cellphone bans, including Connecticut, California, Florida, Alabama and more.