SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) –-Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of a listening tour to gauge support for potential cell phone bans in schools has some parents in Central New York expressing skepticism.
“I think it has pros and cons, but we grew up fine without cellphones,” said Ani Murphy, a Syracuse mother with two young children.
Cellphone bans are a sensitive topic in Onondaga County. Liverpool High School instituted a controversial ban in 2023 that left students and parents alike feeling unsafe.
One mother, who wished to remain unnamed, says that cellphone bans represent a safety risk to kids, and can cause parents to worry about their children.
“I think it’s helpful for the kids to have a phone,” she said. “If something happens, I can call him or her so I can feel a little more secure.”
Cellphone bans are said to potentially be a topic of Wednesday night’s Syracuse City School District Board meeting according to Brad Vivacqua, the director of communications. Board President Tamica Barnett may provide clarity on how her district plans to address the potential ban.
Anchor: Governor Kathy Hochul’s potential phone ban has stirred some debate in central New York.
NCC News’s Malachi Washington has more on how phone bans have been met with mixed feelings.
Malachi Washington: Governor Kathy Hochul this week announced a state-wide listening tour to gauge support for a potential state-wide cell phone ban in schools.
Hochul has cited a Pew Research Center Study that claimed 72 percent of high school teachers believe phones in classrooms are problematic.
Her sentiments are shared by parents like Ani Murphy, a mother to two children who believes that phones create difficult learning environments.
Ani Murphy: There’s so much distraction that comes from cellphones and if one child has it that’s [an] issue for the other ones. Classmates have, other ones don’t have, it’s causing problems.
Malachi Washington: Another parent who asked not to be named believes that phones need to be made available for emergency use only.
Anonymous Parent: I think you have to let your kids learn how to use their phone not too much, just for emergency use.
Malachi Washington: The Syracuse City School District has yet to publicly address potential bans.
