Since the implementation of the cellphone ban at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, New York, lunchtime has become bustling with activity. In the past, students were mostly glued to their smartphones, and teachers say the school was quiet back then, but now it’s completely different.
Fifteen-year-old student Jimena Garcia told Gothamist that she used to take naps in the lunchroom before, but now it’s too noisy to even fall asleep, yet it’s a lot of fun.
Students gather around a table in the cafeteria playing Jenga, with the tower slowly leaning and falling, causing everyone to scream and cheer, creating an exciting atmosphere.
To smoothly transition into the “no cellphone era,” the teaching team at the school took the initiative to gather various tabletop games such as checkers, chess, dice games, word games, detective games, life simulation games, and trivia quizzes. Many students expressed that it was their first time genuinely playing those games and found it “quite enjoyable.”
Student council president Alyssa Ko said she really liked the cellphone ban because it encouraged students to communicate with each other and make new friends. Previously, some people used their phones as a means to avoid social interactions.
The cellphone ban prohibits students from using any internet-enabled devices during school hours, except for students with special needs.
Each school decides on how to store the phones. At Cardozo High School, students are required to place their phones in magnetic pouches that block network signals. Other schools use lockers or simply ask students to keep their phones in their backpacks with zipped compartments.
Teachers are pleased to see students gradually adapting to the “low-tech” lifestyle. According to a survey by the New York State United Teachers in October, 89% of school staff members stated that the new policy improved the school environment, and 76% believed that students were more engaged in class.
Melinda Person, the president of the teachers’ union, noted, “When students put down their phones, they pick up books and build friendships as well.”
These initial feedbacks also reflect a national trend. According to Education Week’s tracking, 31 states in the US as well as Washington DC have banned the use of smartphones during school hours. Teachers commonly believe that the cellphone ban helps students focus.
However, there are still a few students who violate the rules. Cardozo High School confiscates around 30 unauthorized phones daily. Violations are dealt with in a progressive discipline manner, with phones confiscated for several days, weeks, or even months, along with parent meetings arranged. Based on state laws, schools cannot suspend students solely for violating the cellphone ban.