Introduction to the Issue
“New York can take a bold step in supporting students’ academic success and well-being. By implementing a statewide ban on cellphone use during the school day, we can help students focus, learn, and build critical interpersonal skills.”
The Problem with Cellphone Use in Schools
Last year, when I visited the student lounge at one of the seven New York City schools I lead as the CEO of United Charter High Schools, every student had their head down, seemingly in a trance, scrolling through social media. This year, when I returned to that same lounge, every student was talking, laughing, and engaging with one another face-to-face.
The Solution: Implementing a Cellphone Ban
What made the difference? We banned cell phones during the school day. Experiences like that are why I strongly support Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed statewide “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban and oppose efforts to weaken the plan by allowing cell phone use during non-instructional periods. If we are serious about improving student learning and well-being, we must stand firm on this.
Results of the Ban
At United Charter High Schools, we enacted a network-wide cellphone ban this academic year after seeing the positive impact of bans that were already in place at four of our seven schools. The results have been striking. Teachers say that students are more engaged, disruptions are down, and academic focus has improved. They also report spending more classroom time teaching because they no longer need to remind students to put their phones away. Even just a few minutes per class adds up to dozens of hours of additional instruction over the year. Students themselves acknowledge that they are less distracted and more present in class.
Research Supporting the Ban
Research backs up our experience. A University of Chicago study found that the mere presence of a smartphone, even if unused, reduces cognitive capacity. According to the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of high school teachers say that students being distracted by cell phones is a major problem. Excessive cell phone use also jeopardizes students’ mental health by contributing to anxiety, stress, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption.
Addressing Concerns about the Ban
Opponents of a full-day ban argue that students should be allowed to use their phones during non-instructional times. This is a mistake. We need to create environments during the school day, but outside of the classroom, in which students can communicate interpersonally, without screens, to prepare them for success in college, careers, and their social lives. We should be encouraging conversation and relationship-building, not enabling isolation through phone use, which weakens the culture shift we are trying to achieve.
Concerns about Emergency Contact
Some critics of the ban worry about parents’ ability to contact their children in an emergency. But under New York State’s proposed policy, schools will be required to provide parents with a way to reach their children when necessary. In our network of schools, we established clear channels that allow parents to get in touch with their children through the school office, and this has worked well. The reality is that students do not need constant access to their phones to be safe. In fact, as a lifelong educator, I believe that students are safest when they are present, in the moment, and not distracted.
Conclusion
New York can take a bold step in supporting students’ academic success and well-being. By implementing a statewide ban on cellphone use during the school day, we can help students focus, learn, and build critical interpersonal skills. If we are serious about helping students succeed academically and socially, we must embrace a true “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban and ensure that every school in New York provides a distraction-free learning environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the proposed ban on cellphone use in schools?
A: The proposed ban is a statewide “bell-to-bell” ban, meaning that students will not be allowed to use their cellphones during the school day, including during non-instructional periods.
Q: Why is the ban necessary?
A: The ban is necessary to help students focus, learn, and build critical interpersonal skills. Excessive cellphone use can lead to distractions, decreased academic performance, and negative impacts on mental health.
Q: How will parents be able to contact their children in an emergency?
A: Under the proposed policy, schools will be required to provide parents with a way to reach their children when necessary. This can be done through the school office or other designated channels.
Q: What are the benefits of the ban?
A: The benefits of the ban include increased student engagement, reduced disruptions, improved academic focus, and more time for teaching. Additionally, the ban can help students develop important interpersonal skills and prepare them for success in college, careers, and their social lives.
Q: Who supports the ban?
A: The ban is supported by educators, including the CEO of United Charter High Schools, as well as by research and data on the negative impacts of excessive cellphone use on students.
