Students in New York City return to school, mandated to submit their smartphones for inspection upon arrival
The first day of school for approximately 900,000 students in New York City was marked by a significant change: the enforcement of the smartphone ban in public schools. This move, which has been in the works since it was put into the state budget by Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers last spring, is intended to end the epidemic of distraction in class and help kids get a break from social media during the school day.
Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos acknowledged the transition may not be seamless, urging patience for students and educators during this period. She also acknowledged the concerns of students like Josiah George, a freshman at Food and Finance High School in Manhattan, who expressed concerns about making friends without his phone during the first day of school.
Josiah George, however, isn't alone in his sentiments. His phone, he stated, makes him feel connected to his old friends and safe. This sentiment is in stark contrast to some students at Health Opportunities High School in the Bronx, who have expressed a desire to be separated from their phones to focus and socialise.
In an effort to enforce the smartphone ban, James Teal, a school aide at Health Opportunities High School, will now serve as the phone enforcer in addition to his other responsibilities, including helping at lunch, monitoring the halls, and helping in classrooms.
The members of the teen Luddite Club at Health Opportunities High School, who embrace flip phones and reject social media, seem to embrace this change. The smartphone ban is a welcome relief for them, providing an opportunity to focus on their studies and interactions in the real world.
As the school year unfolds, it remains to be seen how students and educators will adapt to this new policy. However, one thing is certain: the smartphone ban in New York public schools officially took effect in September 2023, marking a significant shift in the way these schools operate.
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