The 33-year-old mayoral candidate posted videos of kids endorsing him after praising his social media-free childhood. (Zohran Kwame Mamdani)
"I consider myself fortunate—when I was a student, it was before social media had cannibalized the way that kids interact with one another," he wrote. The post was paired with a back-to-school message about "hope and new beginnings."
But just days later, Mamdani’s campaign accounts featured the two young kids speaking directly to Mamdani and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Mamdani was criticized by Instagram followers after he featured interviews with two kids promoting his bid for City Hall. (Zohran Kwame Mamdani)
Mamdani's posts featuring the two children also came days before New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended the new cellphone restrictions, arguing they will reduce distractions, improve mental health and even protect children during emergencies by preventing location-sharing.
Hochul discussed the state’s ban on cellphone use in public schools on "Fox News Sunday."
The new law prohibits smartphones and smartwatches during school hours, except for medical or educational use.
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Mamdani, who unseated a longtime incumbent in the Democratic primary, is campaigning on sweeping progressive promises, from a $30 minimum wage to a rent freeze.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani for comment.
Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-slammed-using-kids-campaign-videos-after-gloating-about-social-media-free-childhood