NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering legislation that would ban smartphones in schools, building on a social media bill currently in the New York State Senate Internet and Technology Committee that would prohibit addictive social media algorithms and selling minors' data.
The governor spoke broadly to MSNBC's Morning Joe about the negative impact smartphones have on children and teenagers on Thursday, with particular criticism of scrolling during school hours.
“Why are young people on their devices all day long during school hours? How are they learning?,” Hochul asked. “How are they multitasking in a way that they're checking out what everybody's going to be doing this weekend and scrolling and seeing different feeds and listening to their geometry class?”
She said that while she understands parents wanting to have a line of communication with their child to ease fears about their safety, there are lower-tech options that could keep everyone in the loop.
“I'm OK if you have a flip phone—your child wants to talk to you, or you need to have a conversation. They say, 'Can you pick me up at 3 o'clock?,' text them a message, but you don't have to be in the world of social media throughout the day," Hochul said.
The governor’s office confirmed to 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 that Hochul would submit the bill preventing smartphone use in schools later this year, which would allow lawmakers to vote during the next legislative session.
Hochul also slammed social media companies for promoting addictive algorithms that “bombard” kids and teens with dark messages, and she zeroed in on the positives that would come if a current piece of legislation, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act, made it out of the legislature.
“We're telling social media companies you are not allowed to bombard young people with these addictive algorithms,” the governor said while referring to the internet rabbit holes young people get drawn into “very dark” and a “trap.”
“Let them socialize. Let them do some of their clubs online,” she continued. “But it does not have to be for your own profit motive to get them hooked so they can't put that device down.
Hochul, the first governor mother in state history, said that until the new bill can be introduced, she plans to continue pursuing conversations with New Yorkers about how social media use impacts the socialization, sleep, safety and education of young people.
“I think talking to the parents I have already, this is something they would welcome,” the governor said. “They want their kids to be kids again and not be held captive to this force. Just be a kid again.”