New York City officials propose banning YouTube in schools

New York City Council members are proposing a ban on YouTube usage for students in city schools, following a recent decision to restrict generative AI for elementary and middle school students. Council members Shekar Krishnan and Eric Dinowitz cited declining academic achievement and concerns from parents and teachers regarding digital addiction and cognitive development as primary drivers for the proposal.

The proposed measures include prohibiting students from accessing YouTube on personal devices and requiring teachers to justify any use of video content for instructional purposes. Additionally, the council members suggested banning gamified learning applications and ending the practice of providing individual digital devices to students from kindergarten through fifth grade. They also advocated for returning to paper-and-pencil methods for standardized testing to reduce the pressure on teachers to prioritize screen time.

Krishnan expressed concern that tech companies encourage early dependency on their platforms, while Dinowitz emphasized that the move is not anti-technology but rather “pro-learning.” The proposal is expected to be formally discussed during a City Council oversight hearing scheduled for the 15th.