7 Hours to Be Kids Again

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, New York becomes the largest state to implement comprehensive bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions in all K-12 schools.

This isn't about being anti-technology—it's about being pro-childhood.

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, New York becomes the largest state to implement comprehensive bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions in all K-12 schools.

This isn't about being anti-technology—it's about being pro-childhood.

A Generation in Crisis

Why cellphones in schools have become such a problem.

In schools, cellphones are almost as ubiquitous as backpacks, and that’s a problem. The constant use of personal electronics — not just phones, but earbuds, watches, and other distractions—are impacting our students’ ability to learn and are taking a severe toll on their mental health.

Teens spend an average of 4.8 hours daily on social media, and research shows that more than three hours a day doubles the risk of poor mental health outcomes. This isn't just a distraction; it's a public health crisis affecting our children's ability to learn, connect, and thrive.

The facts are clear:

97% of students use phones during school hours
43 minutes of learning time lost daily to distractions
237+ notifications received daily (23% during school)
DOUBLE the risk of mental health issues (3+ hrs/day)
2.5 x more likely to have suicidal thoughts (5+ hrs/day)

Learn Why This Matters

The Solution: Disconnect to Reconnect

"We’re giving our kids 7 Hours to Be Kids Again”

A bell-to-bell policy is the only genuine solution to this crisis. It creates a consistent, distraction-free environment where students can focus on learning, develop crucial social skills through face-to-face interaction, and get a much-needed break from the pressures of social media.

Many schools in New York have already implemented bell-to-bell policies and report incredible results:

44% decrease in behavioral referrals
43-46% reduction in bullying
75% decrease in discipline referrals
38% drop in chronic absenteeism
91% increase in engagementNotable increase in academic success

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Prepare Your Family

About the Disconnected Initiative

A Movement for Students, Driven by Educators

New York’s educators saw the problem in our classrooms and heard the concerns from parents. In 2024, we started convening experts, rallying partners, and pushing for this common-sense law because we believe in creating the best possible learning environments for every student.

In May of 2025, this hard work paid off with the passage of the bell-to-bell policy.

Learn More About Disconnected