New York City school technology restrictions

New York City has implemented restrictions on digital technology in public schools to protect student cognitive development and academic achievement.

Initially, the city prohibited the use of artificial intelligence tools for students from pre-K through eighth grade for the 2026-2027 school year. Chancellor of Schools Kamar Samuels noted that students learn best through “productive struggle” and that algorithms cannot replicate the process of solving difficult problems. While high school students may still use AI, the district plans to provide instruction on AI literacy and critical thinking.

Following these AI restrictions, New York City Council members proposed further measures to ban YouTube usage for students. Citing concerns regarding digital addiction and declining academic performance, council members suggested prohibiting access to YouTube on personal devices and requiring teachers to justify any instructional use of video content. The proposal also includes suggestions to end the practice of providing individual digital devices to students in kindergarten through fifth grade and returning to paper-and-pencil methods for standardized testing.