New York Students May Face Limits on Classroom Screens
A new proposal seeks to restrict screen access and remove distracting apps from school-issued devices.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Primary Education
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New York Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha has introduced the FOCUS Act, a bill that would restrict student access to internet-enabled devices in public schools. The legislation proposes grade-specific limits on screen use for K-12 students to reduce classroom distractions.
Why it matters
The bill seeks to minimize digital distractions and prioritize traditional, non-digital instruction in the classroom. This proposal aligns state school-issued device policies with the existing 2025 bell-to-bell personal device ban currently in effect across New York.
Proposed bill A.11669 limits screen access for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students and requires caregivers to receive annual summaries of device-related medical research. Tech companies must also self-attest that their hardware meets state and federal privacy standards.
The players
Sarahana Shrestha
New York Assemblywoman who introduced the FOCUS Act to prioritize non-digital instruction.
The details
The FOCUS Act phases in device access based on grade level, prohibiting screen use for the youngest students while moving to a cart-based or one-to-one model for older grades. School-issued devices would be required to remain free of social media, gaming, direct messaging, chatbots, and cameras. Additionally, educational technology companies are mandated to register with the state Attorney General’s office to verify compliance with privacy laws.
Timeline
2025: New York implemented a bell-to-bell personal device ban.
January 2027: The earliest potential legislative session for bill discussion.
The Home Front
This legislation builds on New York's 2025 bell-to-bell personal device ban by extending regulation to school-issued hardware. It marks a significant shift toward state-level oversight of educational technology privacy and classroom screen limits.
Caregivers in New York should monitor school communications for updates regarding the proposed device access changes before the 2027 legislative session. Review your current school district policies to understand how your student's daily access to digital devices is managed.
The takeaway
The FOCUS Act aims to significantly reduce screen-based distractions in classrooms for New York students. Caregivers can prepare by discussing current digital curriculum requirements with their local school board and tracking the bill's progress in the upcoming legislative session.
Further reading
For more information on state school guidelines, visit the Primary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post-journal.
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Should public schools implement strict grade-based limits on student access to digital devices and screens?
