New York has a new mascot for cell phone bans. The neon green, fuzzy monster is named “Frankie Focus,” and is positioned as “a little quiet” due to being very focused on school and making friends. New York recently instituted full school-day cellphone bans—implemented in different ways across the state—and is using the mascot to promote it positively to students. We at YPulse know brand mascots are often getting viral attention among Gen Z, from Duolingo’s vaguely threatening green owl to the Philadelphia hockey team’s meme-magnetic Gritty. Clearly, the state is hoping to benefit from this positive association with costumed icons, but making making tweens and teens happy to lose their phones is likely going to take more than a cute character. (CBS)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Kids Are Getting Phones Earlier Than Ever
