New York schools see shift after smartphone restriction

A smartphone restriction in New York schools has positively changed student and teacher habits in learning and communication.

At Walt Whitman High School in New York, students walked the halls and grounds on 2/9 with their eyes forward, instead of looking down at their smartphones.

This was the first day New York school districts implemented a smartphone restriction on school grounds for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can still use school-provided devices like laptops and tablets.

"This rule is controversial, and many people opposed it. But honestly, smartphones are a temptation we don't need. Now that I'm not looking at my phone, I feel much more focused," said 12th grader Isabella Galindo.

Walt Whitman requires students to store their phones in their lockers upon arrival. They cannot retrieve them until dismissal, not even during lunch or breaks.

American students place their phones on a rack before entering class. Photo: AP

American students place their phones on a rack before entering class. Photo: AP

"Classes are livelier. More importantly, students interact more in the cafeteria instead of being glued to their phones," said Principal John Murphy.

"It will take some getting used to, but I'm no longer reaching for my phone every free moment. I also don't feel the need to text friends since no one is allowed to use their phones," shared senior Lucy Maniatis.

Other schools, like Uniondale High School, require students to place their smartphones in special pouches that can only be unlocked with a device near the school gate at the end of the day.

The school has warnings and penalties for students caught using their phones. Senior Andrew Madrid noticed students are interacting more thanks to the rule. "The cafeteria is much louder, with everyone happy and chatting," Madrid said.

Students place their smartphones in special pouches before class in New York. Photo: SF Chronicle

Students place their smartphones in special pouches before class in New York. Photo: SF Chronicle

In New York, about 820 schools chose special pouches, 600 use racks, bins, or boxes, and 550 require students to store phones in lockers before class.

For many students and even teachers, this is a change requiring adjustment. "There were times when teachers asked the class to take out their smartphones to take pictures, then suddenly remembered the new rule. It's really strange. We have to learn not to always depend on our phones," said senior Valentina Goris.

Some parents are having a harder time adapting than their children. Many don't support the new rule because they can't constantly contact their children during the day.

"I feel safer if my child can always call or text their parents," said Carmelo Maisonet, a parent in Uniondale. "So I don't really support this rule."

Under the new regulations, parents can contact their children through the school, and students can call their parents using school phones. Exceptions are made for students with medical monitoring needs, those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), or other special learning needs.