New York may soon be the largest district in the U.S. to ban phones from the classroom. “They’re not just a distraction, kids are fully addicted now to phones," says the city's schools chancellor.A teenager uses her mobile phone to access social media on Jan. 31, 2024, in New York City. The city may soon become the largest school district in the nation to ban cellphones for students.
A good share of that screen time is happening at school. The same Common Sense study found that 97% of kids use their phones during school hours for a median of about 43 minutes per day — roughly the length of one full classroom lesson. Individual school districts have mostly led the charge when it comes to passing limits or outright bans, but states have increasingly begun to enter the fray. Last year, Florida became the first state to crack down on phones in public schools with a law that bans student cellphone use during class time. The law also blocks access to social media for students on district Wi-Fi.
The bans can be tough to police, though. Students naturally don’t love them. Even many parents are opposed, saying it’s important to preserve a line of communication with their children in case of an emergency. One recent national survey foundGiven the resistance, policing these policies can prove challenging.