New York state has released new digital wellness resources aimed at helping young people, caregivers and educators develop healthier habits with digital devices.
The content was developed by the New York State Office of Mental Health and is available through Be Well, an ongoing public campaign to support mental wellness statewide, according to a Dec. 31 news release. The resources include information on digital safety, online privacy, cyberbullying, and how digital media can affect mental well-being.
Organized by audience type — including youth, parents, caregivers, educators and the general public — the material also includes videos and evidence-based content from external organizations. The new tools are intended to support families during the holiday season, when many students are on school break and receive new digital devices.
The materials are part of a $1.9 million public awareness campaign that includes resources on stress, trauma and mental health, along with guidance on how to improve well-being through small behavioral changes, according to the news release.
As part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul secured a statewide standard eliminating smartphone use in classrooms. The state also enacted “bell-to-bell” cellphone bans in all K-12 schools this fall and passed laws requiring warning labels for certain features on social media platforms for youth.
