BUFFALO, N.Y. — Students are joining the debate over Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed cellphone bans in schools.

What You Need To Know

  •  Students from Western New York high schools joined a conversation about the proposed cellphone ban

  •  Some said cellphones are a distraction and facilitate bullying, while others said technology should be embraced

  •  Members of the governor's staff joined the town hall to listen to students' concerns

  •  Students plan to send a letter with their key takeaways to Gov. Kathy Hochul

The Western New York Education Equity Task Force hosted a teen hall at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine to facilitate a discussion about the pros and cons of banning phones in school. Members of the governor’s staff were also in the room to tune in to the conversation.

“I think phones should be banned,” said Maddie Palumbo, a student at Lockport High School. “A lot of teenagers would like to have their phones on them and a lot of teenagers will 100% disagree with what I say. So I feel like if I have my opinion out there, other people’s opinions out there could change.”

Palumbo said she has seen cellphone use contribute to bullying and has been subjected to it herself. She also finds phones in class to be distracting.

Kenmore West High School student Dominic Digiulio said phones have not been a major cause of concern in his classes.

“I think it's important to have restrictions, but I don't know if I support a full outright ban. I know personally I'm in, like, upper-level AP and IB classes. And I know for us it's not as much of an issue,” said Digiulio.

The goal of the town hall was to come up with a few key takeaways that students can write in a letter to Gov. Hochul’s office.

Members of her staff were also in the room to hear students’ concerns.