New York to Ban Cell Phones in Schools Citing ‘Impact on Education’

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New York City Public School will likely ban cell phones for students by January next year, stating that “use of phone is significantly impacting education.”

According to media reports, New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks said, “We recognize the problem and that it is a major issue.” 

New York School finalizing policies 

The Cancellor further said that the district is finalizing a policy to prohibit phones at over 2,000 schools with around 1 million students. The policy will reportedly be announced officially in the coming weeks. 

New York is not the first to ban cell phones 

New York City is not the first to ban cell phones, Los Angeles Unified School District voted last week to bar the devices starting in 2025. 

“Kids no longer have the opportunity to just be kids,” said Los Angeles board member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the measure. “I’m hoping this resolution will help students not only focus in class, but also give them a chance to interact and engage more with each other — and just be kids.”

Some schools on the other hand have implemented cell phone spots where students will have to turn their phones at the beginning of the day and can’t get them until the day ends. States such as South Carolina, are looking at banning cell phones in all public schools statewide.

Other districts have taken creative solutions to lock away devices, including partnerships with startup companies.

Renesha Parks, chief wellness officer at Richmond Public Schools in Virginia, told The Hill in December of a pilot policy implemented in six schools at the beginning of 2024 to stop cellphone usage, partnering with Yondr, which creates magnetic pouches for cellphones. The measure impacts around 4,200 students and costs approximately $75,000.

“It’s a very costly initiative. But we do feel like it will decrease the amount of infractions that are happening as a result of student’s cellphone use and increase productivity and academic instruction in the classroom. It’s worth the investment,” Parks said.

In 2020, government data found almost 80 percent of schools banned cellphones for nonacademic purposes, but enforcement varies widely nationwide.

With input from agencies 

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