New York City To Ban AI for Younger Students, Cap Screen Time in Sweeping New School Policy

In one of the most restrictive classroom technology policies in the nation, New York City will impose a one-year ban on student use of generative artificial intelligence across its public schools from pre-K through 8th grade, city officials announced Wednesday.The moratorium, which takes effect during the 2026-27 school year, will affect nearly 600,000 students — roughly two-thirds of the city’s public school enrollment. Alongside the AI ban, the policy introduces new limits on screen time for younger students and launches AI literacy lessons for high schoolers.“This moratorium is a commitment to getting the future right,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “We will embrace new technology, but only when it serves our students.”Under the plan, student-facing AI tools and companion chatbots will be prohibited in the younger grades, while a coalition of educators, parents, experts, and elected officials studies the technology’s impact and recommends next steps. A limited number of high school classrooms will be permitted to join closely monitored AI pilot programs, and all high school students will receive twice-yearly lessons on AI literacy, bias, ethics, and critical thinking.The policy also sets new screen time guidelines. The youngest students, from preschool through 2nd grade, will not be allowed to use devices like laptops and tablets in class. Students in grades 3 through 5 face a recommended daily cap of 30 minutes, while those in grades 6 through 8 are limited to 45 minutes.Teachers will not face the same restrictions. Under the new policy, they will still be able to use artificial intelligence for things like creating lesson plans, but they won’t be allowed to use the tool for grading or crisis management.Mayor Mamdani called the move necessary to protect “human connection” in classrooms, arguing children should develop problem-solving and social skills alongside teachers and peers rather than relying on AI tools.School leaders have been awaiting guidance for months. Principals were instructed in July to pause software purchases while the administration finalized its policy. Earlier guidance released in March did not include grade-based AI restrictions or limits on digital devices.The crackdown comes amid growing concern from parents, educators, and lawmakers about the effects of AI and screen-based learning on children. Parent advocacy groups have pushed for a moratorium, while more than half of the City Council signed a letter urging City Hall and the Department of Education to halt expanded AI use in classrooms.United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said those concerns fueled calls for stricter guardrails.“Parents are getting very, very upset with AI because all they hear are these horror stories about AI and they’re rightfully protective of their children,” Mr. Mulgrew said during a recent appearance on “Up Close.” He called AI “a very dangerous thing” and urged schools to avoid unvetted products.Supporters argue many AI-powered programs offer questionable academic value and encourage students to lean on technology instead of critical thinking — echoing the concerns behind the city’s recent bell-to-bell cellphone ban.“The tech industry wants us to believe that AI-powered early education is not only inevitable, but necessary,” Mayor Mamdani said. “We do not see it that way.”

New York City To Ban AI for Younger Students, Cap Screen Time in Sweeping New School Policy

New York City To Ban AI for Younger Students, Cap Screen Time in Sweeping New School Policy

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