New York Bill Proposes Limits on School Screen Use

Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha introduced legislation to restrict digital device access for students across New York.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Primary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of notebooks and a pencil case on a wooden desk, symbolizing a return to traditional classroom learning. — New York Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha introduced the FOCUS Act to restrict digital device access and reduce screen time in public schools. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should public schools implement strict grade-based limits on student access to digital devices and screens?

Assemblywoman Sarahana Shrestha has introduced the Fostering Optimal Classroom Use Of Screens (FOCUS) Act, a bill that seeks to phase in grade-based limits on student access to internet-enabled devices in schools. The proposed legislation, A.11669, aims to curb digital distractions by prioritizing non-digital instruction and aligning with New York's 2025 bell-to-bell personal device ban.

Why it matters

The bill seeks to minimize student distraction by mandating that school-issued devices remain free of social media, gaming, and other non-academic features. By requiring companies to self-attest their compliance with privacy laws and provide research on screen time, the legislation aims to increase transparency for caregivers.

Bill A.11669 classifies hardware and software restrictions for students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The act requires educational technology companies to register with the state Attorney General and self-attest compliance with privacy laws.

The players

Sarahana Shrestha

She is an Assemblywoman in the New York State Assembly who introduced the FOCUS Act to regulate classroom technology.

The details

The proposal mandates that school-issued devices block social media, gaming, direct messaging, and cameras while requiring schools to provide caregivers with a list of all technology used before the start of each year. The policy dictates varying access levels, ranging from a total prohibition in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to cart-based or caregiver-authorized one-to-one models in secondary grades.

2025: New York implemented a bell-to-bell personal device ban.
October 21, 2026: The FOCUS Act was introduced as a legislative proposal.
January 2027: This marks the earliest possible date for legislative discussion of the bill.

Culture Shift

This legislation reflects a broader push to prioritize non-digital interaction in classrooms following New York's 2025 bell-to-bell personal device ban. It signals a shift toward stricter control over educational technology to mitigate the impact of digital distraction on student learning.

Caregivers may notice changes in how schools communicate about the specific hardware and software used in their children's classrooms. Families should also expect new summaries regarding medical research on screen time effects to be distributed as part of school transparency requirements.

The takeaway

This bill highlights a growing legislative focus on regulating digital tools within public school environments. Parents should review existing school technology policies to understand how current classroom device usage might be affected if this legislation moves forward.