Governor Kathy Hochul has initiated a statewide listening tour to address smartphone use in schools, aiming to develop effective solutions to protect children's mental health and enhance educational outcomes. She plans to propose a statewide policy to tackle excessive smartphone use after finding that many high school teachers see cell phone distractions as a major problem. The tour involves discussions with administrators, educators, parents, and advocates to gather diverse perspectives on the issue and the existing patchwork of school policies. Hochul emphasizes the need to curb smartphone use in schools to improve education and mental health, linking it to concerns about youth radicalization and violence. Stakeholder engagement will be crucial in shaping the forthcoming policy proposal.