New York Phone Ban COMPLIANCE EXPERTS
The Best Phone Ban Solutions for
Distraction-Free K-12 Education
Smart lockers with Bell-to-Bell Phone-Free device restriction.
No more Yondr hassles. No more teacher conflicts.
Just secure, compliant phone storage that actually works.
Implementation Deadline:
2025-2026 School Year
Law takes effect for the 2025-2026 School Year. Districts need written policies to be posted by August 1, 2025. Our compliance experts are booking consultations fast – secure your spot today.
Trusted by Educational Institutions Nationwide
HonestWaves is the top choice for smart lockers, phone charging stations, and portable charging station solutions.
What the New York Phone Ban Actually Requires
As the leading experts in school phone compliance across 24 states, we know exactly what New York districts need to succeed.
NY Phone Ban Basics:
Mandatory Statewide Policy
Every New York K-12 public school district, charter schools, and BOCES must adopt a written policy prohibiting student use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices on campus for the entire school day, bell-to-bell. Schools are given the freedom to develop their plans for storing smartphones during school hours. There is also $13.5 million in funding allocated to assist schools in purchasing storage solutions.
Requirements:
- Prohibits student phone use during school hours
- Applies to ALL K-12 public, charter schools, and BOCES
- Exceptions only for emergencies, medical needs, or IEPs
- Schools must create and post enforceable policies
- No specific storage method mandated (lockers and secure pouches mentioned)
Covered Devices:
- Smartphones
- Any other internet-enabled devices
Mandated Timeline:
August 2025
Policies must be written and posted by August 1, 2025. Implementation begins with the 2025-2026 school year.
“New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” –Governor Hochul
Why Traditional Solutions Are Failing New York Schools
❌ Yondr Pouches
$25-30 per student. Massive bottlenecks during arrival/dismissal. Emergency access nightmare. Easily tampered with or broken into by students. Staff burnout from constant management.
❌ Wall Caddies
Zero security. Students grab phones mid-class. No accountability. Defeats the entire purpose of phone bans.
❌ Manual Lockers
Keys get lost. No tracking. Staff can’t open in emergencies. Students forget combinations. Creates more problems than it solves.
: Built for Phone Bans
The only phone storage solution designed specifically for New York school compliance
Bell-to-Bell Scheduling:
Student Badge Access:
Uses existing student ID cards. No PINs to forget, no extra cost. PIN code options also available.
Individual Storage:
Each phone gets its own secure bay with or without charging cables included.
Real-Time Reporting:
Prove phone ban compliance to board members, parents, and state inspectors.
Emergency Override:
Lifetime Warranty:
One purchase, no recurring fees. We stand behind our New York schools.
Hardware Feature Highlights
Stainless Steel
316 grade, weather- and salt-resistant
Cold-Rolled Steel (CRS)
12–14 gauge (similar to outdoor atm machines)
Mounting Parts
12–14 Gauge cold-rolled steel with zinc or galvanized coating
Electrostatic Powder Coating
Scratch-resistant, chip-resistant, and non-toxic
Anti-Graffiti Coating
Graffiti Resistance Test ASTM D6578/D6578M
Polycarbonate (PC)
UL 94 V-0 fire-rated PC
Software Feature Highlights
Flexible Quick Access
Student card (RFID or barcode, pin code, admin override
Manual Override
Power or internet outage safety measures
Quick-Learn
Interface designed for any age (K-12+)
Multi-Language
Interface with customizable defaults
Reporting & State Compliance
Student access logs
Time-Controlled & Emergency Release
Flexible timer options for special schedules, variable student arrival and dismissal times
🚨 "But What About Emergencies?"
The #1 concern from New York parents and staff. We’re the only company with a real answer.
HonestWaves Smart Lockers include instant emergency overrides that can unlock every bay in seconds. Authorized personnel can open lockers remotely from the main office, their phone, or on-site during any emergency.
🔓 Instant Override
📱 Remote Access
🔋 Battery Backup
Trusted by Leading Educational Institutions
Springdale Public Schools
Montgomery College
Southern Utah University
About HonestWaves
When it comes to student device security and smart locker rollouts, HonestWaves is more than a vendor, we’re your partner.
We’ve led some of the largest K-12 locker deployments in the country, including full-district rollouts across elementary, middle, and high school campuses. Our solutions are built specifically for schools, not adapted from gyms or warehouses. That experience matters when every install needs to be compliant, durable, and ready to scale.
At HonestWaves, we’re not just shipping lockers off the shelves, we’re helping schools implement real change. Our team brings together decades of experience in educational technology, product deployment, and school district partnerships. You’ll have direct access to decision-makers who understand the stakes, the timelines, and the people behind every rollout.
Get Your Free Phone Ban Compliance Consultation
Don’t wait until August to figure this out. We’re offering free consultations to help New York districts plan their phone-free implementation strategy.