Decoder with Nilay Patel · Monday, August 31, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul defended New York's ban on cell phones in schools, citing overwhelmingly positive results from surveyed schools. She believes the ban helps children by allowing them to interact in person, play games, and develop interpersonal skills, thus preserving their childhood from early addiction to devices.
“I'm really proud of the fact that we're the biggest state in the nation to have come up with a full ban on cell phones in schools.”
“I'm saying I'm protecting them from a lifetime of addiction to a device where they no longer have human relationships.”
“The kids who resisted it at first are now making friends in person. There's more communication. They're learning the interpersonal skills that you'd want your workforce to have.”
“But why do we rob their childhood from them?”