NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Thousands of New York City students returned to class Thursday under new classroom rules that limit screen time, prohibit the use of artificial intelligence for younger students and mark the debut of the city’s long-awaited free 2-K program for 2-year-olds.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels marked the launch of the 2-K program at the Highbridge Recreation Center in Washington Heights on Thursday morning. State officials said the initiative is backed by an initial $73 million investment and is expected to grow to $425 million by 2027 as additional seats are added.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said 12,000 additional seats are planned next year as the city works toward a universal child care system.
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Chancellor Kamar Samuels called the first day of 2-K a “milestone for families” across the city and said the school system remains focused on providing high-quality early childhood education while balancing the benefits of technology with the fundamentals of learning.
The launch comes as New York City Public Schools implements significant changes to how students use technology in the classroom. Under a one-year moratorium announced by the Mamdani administration, students in 2-K through eighth grade will be barred from using generative AI tools while educators and policymakers evaluate how the technology should be incorporated into schools.
New screen-time restrictions also took effect Thursday. Students in grades three through five are limited to 30 minutes of daily screen time, while middle school students are capped at 45 minutes. Children in second grade and younger will not receive individual screen time. City leaders say the policies are designed to emphasize direct instruction, critical thinking and traditional classroom learning.
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