Governors push to ban smartphones in schools in New Jersey and New York
Two governors along the East Coast are taking steps to limit smartphone use in schools. New Jersey and New York are considering new policies aimed at reducing distractions in the classroom.
States who have issued bans have distinguished between smartphones like iPhones and basic cellular phones that can only call or text.
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has voiced strong support for a bill moving through the state legislature that would ban phones in public schools. Murphy has said the devices have become a growing distraction in classrooms, impacting students’ ability to focus and retain information.
“They are fueling a rise in cyberbullying. And they are making it incredibly difficult for our kids, not only to learn, but to retain the substance of what they learn,” Murphy said in his State of the State address. “Honestly, is it any surprise that the rise in smartphone usage has coincided with a growing youth mental health crisis?”
The bill has already passed the state Senate unanimously. It would require New Jersey’s Department of Education to set a policy on smartphone and social media use in all public schools. Including elementary, middle and high schools, districts would be required to adopt the policy if passed.
Just across the state line, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking similar steps. Hochul announced that the next state budget would include a plan to create a “distraction-free learning environment.” It would likely include restrictions on smartphone use during school hours.
“Young people succeed in the classroom when they’re learning and growing—not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said in a statement.
The New York State Teachers Union is working with Hochul’s administration to develop a policy that could include keeping phones out of reach from the start of the school day until dismissal.
The details of the policy are still being worked out, but the idea is gaining traction among educators and policymakers.
However, parents in both states are raising concerns about the potential downsides of a cell phone ban, particularly in the case of emergencies. Some worry their children may need to have access to their phones to contact them during critical situations.
Many school districts in both New Jersey and New York have already implemented their own policies to limit cell phone use during school hours. However, these measures have not been uniform across the region.
Gen Z will spend 112 complete days in 2024 on their phones: Report
A new report released this week from Gen Z research firm dcdx is showing how this generation’s attachment to phones is growing. In its fourth annual Gen Z Screen Time Report, dcdx issued a warning before presenting its findings.
The disclaimer reads, “What you are about to see may shock you. It may make you feel concern. It may make you feel angry, and it may make you feel confused…If we want to change Gen Z’s relationship with technology, we have to lean into the discomfort, the anger, the shock, and the concern.”
One big finding from the report: Gen Z will spend 112 complete days on their phones in 2024. The firm analyzed screen time submissions from 234 Gen Zers aged 16 to 27 and found daily average screen time for 2024 rose by over 15 minutes from last year to 7 hours 22 minutes and 43 seconds.
Breaking it down by age, younger Gen Zers aged 16 to 20 and older ones aged 21 to 27 saw an increase in their daily average screen time. Younger ones had an average screen time of 7 hours 52 minutes and 56 seconds, while older ones were at 7 hours 5 minutes and 29 seconds.
While younger Gen Zers spend more time on their phones, older ones have seen a bigger increase year over year. The report shows a nearly 25-minute increase compared to 2023.
Looking at gender, daily screen time for males jumped 13% to 6 hours 40 minutes and 13 seconds. Female screen time saw virtually no change. However, it still exceeds their male counterparts at 7 hours 48 minutes and 48 seconds.
Next, dcdx looked at what exactly Gen Z is looking at when they use their phones. The top five apps remain the same as last year.
TikTok once again holds the top spot in keeping Gen Z’s attention. The report showed a weekly average screen time of 9 hours 24 minutes and 8 seconds. That’s up 4% from last year.
Instagram came in second at 7 hours 3 minutes and 46 seconds, down by 8%. Then there’s a big drop in weekly average screen time to third with Messages, at 3 hours 56 minutes and 27 seconds, but up 3%.
Finally, an honorable mention just out of the top 5 is WhatsApp. The weekly average screen time went up 233% from 2023 to 2024, with an average screen time of 1 hour 29 minutes and 8 seconds.
Beyond screen time, dcdx looked at notifications. The report stated a 13% decrease in daily notification averages.
The firm said this suggests more Gen Zers are “adjusting their settings to reduce notifications or using apps that are less disruptive to their daily lives.”
Phone users shared their screen time data over two weeks in October and November. At 234 participants, it’s only a sample of the over 65 million Gen Zers living in the U.S. However, dcdx said the results indicate a “clear picture of the future of technology usage behaviors among Gen Z.”
FCC approves Elon Musk’s Starlink for cellphone service, with some limits
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has cleared the way for a groundbreaking partnership involving Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite-based internet provider, but it has some limits. Starlink is approved to provide T-Mobile customers cellphone service, bringing access to dead zones and other remote areas.
This is the first time the FCC has given a license for a satellite operator collaborating with a wireless carrier. However, the Verge reported restrictions in the FCC filing like the agency not yet allowing Starlink to increase satellite radio emission power for real-time voice and video calls.
SpaceX said in October that it would start testing basic texting capabilities and support for voice and data isn’t expected to arrive until next year.
AT&T and Verizon have already raised concerns that allowing SpaceX to bypass current power limits could interfere with their networks.
This week SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center to join the thousands already there. Of those launched, 12 satellites have direct-to-cell capabilities.
Reuters reported there are pending applications from other companies, but for right now, the FCC has only granted this approval to T-Mobile.
Chinese hackers listening to calls, reading texts of US government officials
Chinese hackers are actively listening to phone calls and reading the text messages of government and political workers in the Washington, D.C. region. In an interview with The Washington Post, the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee called it the “worst telecom hack in our nation’s history — by far.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said the hackers are still in the networks, listening to calls in real time and have been able to move from one telecom network to another. The impacted companies include AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.
The hackers are members of a group called “Salt Typhoon.”
The attack started more than a year ago. Warner told The Post to get the hackers out of the system, they’ll have to replace thousands of pieces of equipment across the country.
They targeted the phones of President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, members of the Harris campaign and State Department employees.
In total, there are only about 150 known victims, giving the Chinese access to millions of calls and text messages, a number that’s expected to increase.
Straight Arrow News spoke with Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., about the attack. He explained how China and the Chinese Communist Party uses data as a weapon unlike any other country or entity in history.
“They are experts at using data, piled upon data, piled upon data to put together some really exquisite weapons that we don’t even fully understand the capabilities of,” Johnson said. “But we know that no enterprise in the history of humankind has ever been able to use data as a weapon like the CCP has.
“I don’t know what they’re all doing. I know they clearly find some value with it if they’re going to spend tremendous resources in constantly probing our defenses to get in and steal that information.”
Warner said it’s crucial the public understand the intrusion wasn’t confined to Washington but was far broader and exposed critical vulnerabilities.
Americans saw an increase in robocalls in October, receiving nearly 4.9 billion of them due to the presidential election. According to data released Friday, Nov. 8, by YouMail, October was the highest month in volume for robocalls since August 2023.
October’s nearly 5 billion robocalls were a 9.5% increase from September. October averaged 158.4 million robocalls per day, and included calls like this:
Hi, this is Jennifer. I’m an underwriter with our approval department. I’m just calling to let you know it appears you’ve been prequalified for a personal loan of up to $72,000 with payments starting as low as $5.30 a month.
Robocall message
YouMail said most of the increase was election-driven.
Telemarketing calls rose over 21% from September and scams jumped around 18%. Both types make up almost half of all October robocalls.
The Federal Trade Commission said robocalls are illegal when they are sales messages from companies that did not get written permission to call.
The agency is offering these steps on how to handle unwanted robocalls:
Hang up. Don’t press any number or call back.
Don’t trust caller ID. It can be faked.
Get call blocking apps or services. This will help you get fewer robocalls.
YouMail said it determined its figures by reviewing robocall traffic attempts to get through to its millions of users on its robocall blocking app.
“We’ve seen a big jump in robocalls over the past few months, however 2024 continues to be 3% lower than 2023,” YouMail CEO Alex Quilici said in a statement.
Quilici said, with election season winding down, YouMail fully expects “to see volumes drop materially over the next few months.”
How one country is cracking down on drunk and distracted cyclists
Japan intensified its crackdown on risky cycling behavior by implementing stricter penalties for activities like biking under the influence and using a phone while riding. Those who violate the new rules could face up to three years in jail.
Under the new nationwide regulations, cyclists caught making a call, watching a video or even holding a phone while biking now face up to six months in prison and fines up to $655.
The revised laws also lowered the alcohol threshold for drunk biking and imposed severe penalties for cycling under the influence. Offenders could now face up to three years in prison, along with fines of around $3,300.
Authorities also prohibited providing alcohol to cyclists and lending bicycles to individuals who have been drinking They said this is aimed to reduce alcohol-related cycling incidents.
Additional measures include banning cyclists from riding with an umbrella, a common practice in rainy weather.
With cycling allowed on sidewalks in Japan, bike safety has become a priority. Just last year, Japan mandated helmet use for cyclists. In May, police were granted authority to fine cyclists for traffic violations.
Officials said these combined measures reflect Japan’s growing commitment to enhancing safety and accountability on its streets.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Hezbollah is blaming Israel after pagers used by the militant group exploded killing at least nine people and injuring thousands. And former President Donald Trump holds his first campaign event since the second apparent assassination attempt on his life. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.
Hezbollah blames Israel for deadly pager explosions
Multiple explosions in Lebanon have killed at least nine people and left nearly 3,000 injured. Explosives inside pagers used by the militant group Hezbollah were set off Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 17.
The Iran-backed group blames Israel for the attack. Hezbollah said an 8-year-old was among those killed and Iran’s envoy to Beirut was among the injured.
Sources told Reuters Israel’s Mossad spy agency had planted the explosives inside 5,000 pagers. An American source and other officials confirmed to the New York Times that Israel was behind the operation.
The pagers appeared to be from Taiwan-based Gold Apollo. In a statement released Wednesday, Sept. 18, Gold Apollo said they were manufactured by another company based in Budapest that was authorized to use Gold Appollo’s brand.
Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers to bypass Israeli location-tracking following a warning by group leaders earlier this year saying cell phones were more dangerous than Israeli spies.
Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against Israel.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging strikes shortly after Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Tuesday’s blasts add to the growing concern over a larger war in the Middle East.
Secretary of State of Antony Blinken will be in Egypt Wednesday to work on securing a cease-fire agreement to put an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas and see the release of the hostages who remain in Gaza.
Trump, Harris both use assassination attempt to highlight policy proposals
Former President Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail Tuesday, holding his first event since the second apparent attempt on his life over the weekend. During a town hall in Flint, Michigan Trump told Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders the assassination attempts are proof his policy proposals are powerful.
“It’s a dangerous business however, being president,” Trump said. “It’s a little bit dangerous. It’s, you know, they think racecar driving is dangerous. No. They think bull-riding, that’s pretty scary, right? No, this is a dangerous business and we have to keep it safe.”
He later added, “You know, only consequential presidents get shot at.”
Trump also said both President Joe Biden and, his opponent in the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris called him after the assassination attempt, saying it was “very nice” and he appreciated it.
“Not everybody has Secret Service,” Harris said, “and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. I mean, I look at Project 2025 and I look at the ‘don’t say gay laws’ coming out of Florida. Members of the LGBTQ community don’t feel safe right now. Immigrants or people with an immigrant background don’t feel safe right now. Women don’t feel safe right now.”
Both candidates are focusing on swing areas that could decide the election, which is expected to be a close one.
Trump is set to campaign in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina this week. Harris will also stop in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days.
Speaker Johnson to bring spending bill up for vote
House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to put his short-term spending plan up for a vote Wednesday, though there are signs it will not get the GOP support needed to pass.
Johnson previously pulled a stopgap bill that was coupled with the SAVE Act — which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections — after it became clear it was unlikely to get enough Republican approval to pass. House Democrats also opposed the plan, though it would keep the government funded through most of March.
Congress has until the end of September to pass at least a temporary measure keeping the government open, otherwise a shutdown looms Oct. 1.
Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates for first time since 2020
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time since 2020. However, it’s not yet known by how much.
Straight Arrow News Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a closer look here.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail in racketeering, sex trafficking case
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been denied bail and will remain in custody as he faces serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Authorities say Combs will be held by himself at a “special housing unit” in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In a federal courtroom in New York City on Tuesday, Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges he’s facing. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to force women into engaging in sexual acts with professional sex workers and himself.
Prosecutors allege that in late 2023, following public accusations of these crimes, Combs and his associates attempted to pressure victims into silence through bribery.
If convicted on all charges, Combs faces decades in prison.
Billie Jean King to make history as Congressional Gold Medal recipient
Tennis hall of famer Billie Jean King is being recognized with a prestigious Congressional Gold Medal for her efforts on and off the tennis court.
The measure had already passed the Senate and on Tuesday night, it passed the House, making Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to ever receive the congressional honor.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House just passed my bipartisan, bicameral bill to award my friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the first female athlete to ever receive this honor—yet another iconic trailblazing moment… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
“Mister speaker, it is now time to enshrine Billie Jean King’s legacy as not only a champion of tennis, but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said before the measure was passed.
After receiving the news that she would receive the Congressional Gold Medal, King took to X to say, “Thank you. I am deeply humbled and honored.”
California considers first-in-nation phone discounts to undocumented immigrants
California is considering a proposal to allow undocumented immigrants access to California LifeLine, a state-run program that subsidizes phone bills for low-income residents. The bill is seeing some pushback, with Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., vetoing a bill meant to assist undocumented immigrants in buying homes on Friday, Sept. 6.
The LifeLine program offers discounts on monthly cell service and connection fees. Currently, a Social Security number is required to qualify, but the new proposal aims to remove this requirement.
Advocates argue that essential communication, such as the ability to call 911, is a public safety issue. They also note that undocumented immigrants contribute to the program through phone service surcharges, making it fair for them to benefit.
Getty Images
California’s Public Utilities Commission overcame the requirement for a Social Security number 10 years ago, but never followed through.
Some conservatives oppose the measure, expressing concerns that undocumented immigrants who haven’t contributed enough to the system could take advantage of the program.
Getty Images
The vote comes at a time when many Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, are taking a tougher stance on immigration. Gov. Newsom has urged caution, warning that Republicans could use this issue against Democrats in the upcoming elections.
If approved, undocumented immigrants would still need to provide other forms of identification, such as a foreign passport or driver’s license, to qualify for LifeLine. The vote is scheduled for Sept. 26.
Nearly 2/3 of Americans say they won’t buy new iPhone because of inflation
Apple revealed its new iPhone on Monday, Sept. 9, fit with artificial intelligence and cameras that just keep getting better. The iPhone 16 even has a camera control button on the edge. Sales start this month, but how many Americans will be racing to get the latest gadget?
Sixty-three percent of Americans said they would not be buying a new phone this year because of inflation, according to a WalletHub survey released Tuesday.
Inflation is coming down. This summer, annual inflation fell below 3% for the first time since early 2021, but prices are up more than 20% over the past four years.
The WalletHub survey reveals what people really think about spending money on an iPhone. Nine in 10 Americans say iPhones are overpriced.
Apple’s latest iteration starts at $799 for the basic version, $899 for Plus, $999 for Pro and $1,199 for Pro Max.
Even if they think it is overpriced, more than 2 in 5 Americans said an iPhone is worth going into credit card debt to get. Around the same amount of people think having the latest phone is important for their self-image.
Thirty percent of Americans said the person who always has the latest iPhone is rich, while 27% said that person is wasteful.
China’s Huawei unveils tri-fold smartphone hours after iPhone 16 reveal
Just when Apple thought it had control of the news cycle when it came to smartphones, China’s Huawei is looking to steal its thunder by releasing a tri-fold smartphone. The phone has a starting price of $2,800.
The company unveiled its Mate XT phone Tuesday, Sept. 10, during a launch ceremony in China. The announcement came just hours after Apple revealed its iPhone 16 lineup during an event in California on Monday, Sept. 9.
Though the Mate XT is not available to purchase in stores in China until Sept. 20, the same day the iPhone 16 goes on sale, the three-way folding phone already received over 4 million pre-orders. However, Huawei did not require a deposit to preorder.
Huawei has been trying to reinvent itself and how it makes its phone since the U.S. imposed sanctions in 2019 that blocked it from the global chip supply chain. However, the company made a resurgence last year when it released its Mate 60 Pro powered by a Chinese-made chip.
The Chinese tech giant is looking to battle Apple in the world’s largest smartphone market with its Mate XT. The phone is being touted as the slimmest foldable phone ever at 3.6 millimeters wide. Huawei passed Samsung earlier this year to become the world’s biggest foldable smartphone maker.
However, unlike in the U.S. where Apple Intelligence will be accessible right away, Apple’s AI software will not be available in Chinese languages until next year. Apple has yet to announce an AI partner to power its 16 series in China.
As for the price tag for the Mate XT, the starting price is more than twice that for the comparable iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199.
