New York City public schools are close to putting into effect a cell phone prohibition that will affect nearly one million students.
The Schools Chancellor, David Banks, announced that the official statement will come within the next two weeks, with the goal of addressing the disruptions caused by cell phones in classrooms.
NYC Cellphone Ban on School Premises
The suggested prohibition in New York City is in accordance with the decision made by the Los Angeles Unified School District, who also recently endorsed a comparable ban on cellphones to start in January.
Banks highlighted the importance of students having phones for communication after school, while also underlining the significance of restricting their usage during school hours to improve the learning atmosphere.
Banks mentioned in an interview that students should be allowed to have their phones at school to stay in touch with family after school hours. However, he aim to implement a system that prohibits its use throughout the school day.
The suggested prohibition has garnered widespread backing from various parties, such as parents, educators, and school officials. Around 70% of high school teachers and one-third of middle school teachers believe that cellphones are a major distraction in their classrooms, as stated by the Pew Research Center.
Banks stated that everyone has been advised to take the phones but has remained as a significant issue.
The ban in New York aims to establish a uniform policy in public schools citywide, where many currently have individual regulations. Some schools currently mandate students to secure their devices while on campus.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also indicated her backing for a ban on cellphones in schools across the state, with intentions to introduce the proposed law in the upcoming 2025 legislative session.
This move follows a history of cellphone policy changes in the city. The former Mayor Michael Bloomberg once implemented a cellphone ban in public schools two decades ago. However, this city mandate was lifted by the administration of his successor, Bill de Blasio, in 2015.
Bloomberg, now advocating for the reinstatement of the ban, cited the devastating effects on learning caused by smartphones in an opinion column this week.
Challenges and Concerns of the Cellphone Ban Implemention
Despite the general support for the ban, some educators highlight the potential benefits of phones in educational settings.
A Queens educator who chose to remain unnamed suggested utilizing phones for speedy assessments and exit tickets to customize daily lesson plans and enhance student comprehension.
The teacher mentioned that they evaluate their students regularly through their phones and exit tickets to better prepare for the next day and identify areas that require more focus. Yet, the teacher recognized the adverse effects of cellphone usage, such as bullying, conflicts, and reduced teaching time.
Students sharing information about their peers during lunch or in a classroom can result in bullying, conflicts, and feelings of depression - as well as causing significant disruptions to learning and focus, they stated.
Parent Jean Hahn, who supports Banks' plan, criticized the education department for contributing to students' dependency on devices during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote learning became the norm.
As of writing, the New York City Department of Education has not yet provided additional details about implementation of the potential ban.
