New York state implemented a ban on smartphones in schools starting in September 2023, sparking a wave of positive responses from both students and educators. The initiative aimed to create a distraction-free learning environment, but it has also fostered increased social interaction among students. As reported by New York Magazine, students are rediscovering the joys of face-to-face communication, participating in activities such as playing cards, board games, and even sports during their breaks.
At New Heights Academy Charter School in Harlem, senior Rosalmi noted a significant increase in school spirit since the ban. “People are more willing to do stuff,” she said. One of her favorite activities is playing dominoes during lunch, which has become popular not only for the game itself but also for the lively banter that accompanies it. “Dominoes is really a staple Dominican game,” she explained. “People get passionate. You have to slam that first piece down on the table!”
The trend is evident in other schools as well. At the Math, Engineering, and Science Academy Charter High School in Bushwick, coach and teacher Kevin Casado reported that more students are actively engaging in volleyball, with a balanced participation from both girls and boys. Meanwhile, at Brooklyn Technical High School, students have taken to playing poker with hair ties serving as makeshift bets, drawing spectators who cheer on the excitement.
Despite initial resistance to the ban, students are adapting. Noshin Sayiram, a junior at Stuyvesant High School, shared that while there was some grumbling about not being able to use devices for last-minute study sessions, she has found that printing out study guides has improved her focus. “I don’t get distracted by notifications,” she said, emphasizing the benefits of a less digital-dependent approach to learning.
The long-term effects of smartphone usage on children are still under investigation. Research published in the journal Pediatrics indicates that children aged 12 and younger who received smartphones are at a greater risk of developing issues such as depression and obesity. The study found that these risks increase the younger the child is when they first acquire a smartphone. Additionally, another study tracking children aged nine to ten revealed a strong correlation between increased screen time and the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
While the phone ban may seem like a drastic measure, the immediate benefits are hard to overlook. Ninth-grader Aidan Amin from Hunter College High School expressed a sense of closeness with his peers that he had not experienced before. “Honestly, half the people I’m playing board games with I didn’t know at all before this,” he stated, highlighting the social bonds being formed in the absence of digital distractions.
The shift away from smartphones in educational settings mirrors a broader trend as similar bans are being introduced across the United States and internationally. As students reconnect with each other through traditional activities, the implications of technology on youth culture and learning continue to be a topic of discussion among educators and parents alike.
