Most New York Teachers Say School Phone Ban Has Improved Classrooms

Time and Place for Cell Phones

As the parent of a young child who already has a cell phone, I understand they're a necessary part of life these days. Kids use them to stay in touch with parents, coordinate activities, connect with friends, and yes, occasionally watch way too many YouTube videos.

But I've always believed there's a time and place for phones.

Photo: Unsplash

Not at the dinner table. Not while you're watching TV with the family. And certainly not while you're supposed to be learning in school.

Banned in NY Schools: Is It Working?

A year ago, New York State took a major step by restricting the use of smartphones and other personal devices in classrooms, and now we're getting a pretty good picture of how it's working.

According to a survey conducted by Governor Kathy Hochul's office and reported by News10NBC, nearly 80% of teachers said the cell phone ban had a positive impact on their schools.

About 75% reported an improvement in their ability to teach, while 76% said students were more engaged in class...that's good stuff.

Classroom

Better Focus, Decline in Bullying

Teachers also reported more classroom discussions, increased collaboration among students, and better focus on assignments. Perhaps most encouraging, 60% reported noticing a decline in bullying.

The results aren't entirely unanimous. A separate nationwide study found that phone bans have had only a limited impact on academic scores, attendance, attention, and bullying.

Still, if teachers feel they can teach more effectively and students are paying better attention, that's a pretty good start.