ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Following in the footsteps of many other states, New York is banning smartphones for public and charter schools. Officials supporting this digital ban say in doing so may improve social capital and community around the state, and say that this isn’t about being anti-phone or anti-technology — it’s about being pro-childhood.

What You Need To Know

  • The state of New York, following in the footsteps of many other states, is banning smartphones for public and charter schools

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $13.5 million investment in distraction-free schools, sealing the deal she made earlier this year with parents, educators and administrators to create healthier and safer learning environments for students by restricting smartphone use in K-12 schools across the state

  • A "bell-to-bell" ban on cellphones in schools means that students are not allowed to use their personal internet-enabled devices (like phones, tablets, smartwatches and laptops) from the moment they enter school grounds until the moment they leave, encompassing the entire school day, including class time, lunch and study hall periods. This ban is part of a broader effort to create distraction-free learning environments

The next school year in New York will come with some big changes.

New York will be only the fourth state to have a "bell-to-bell" ban.  

“[It] kind of reminds me of a TSA-type thing,” high school senior Jennifer Granville said. “It's a change for the students and they don't obviously adapt too well to change. But we're getting into the flow now.”

State lawmakers say the ban aims to protect children by reducing distractions during school hours. It's leaving schools like Greece Central School District to have the freedom to come up with their own approach.

“When we first come in in the morning this will be unlocked,” high school junior Davious Britton said. “And then when we put our phones inside the pouch and then close it in.”

“This security system is a result of a pretty extensive testing phase and search for something that was going to be basically the best thing that we could buy for student safety,” Greece Central School District director of safety and security Casey Voelkl said. “No learning or anything else can really occur unless they feel safe and secure. So, this is just part of the bigger picture.”

Designed to promote both physical and emotional safety, the system uses advanced walk-through body scanners from MIS Security and bag scanners from Linev to not only cellphones but also weapons and vaping devices — three of the most pressing safety and discipline concerns facing schools today.

“They have become a major issue in schools,” Voelkl said. “And this is another way for us to try and get them before they come in the door. Because, quite frankly, it's a big problem not just in schools, but throughout society.”

The district has been implementing the cellphone ban for more than two years, but they are proud to be among the first in the region to implement such a comprehensive approach to school safety, addressing multiple issues through one integrated system.  

“Kids are on their phones, they're struggling at night and then they're bringing it into school,” principal Brian Lumb said. “And when they had access to their phones during the day, it was just ramping up the behaviors. So, we wanted to start to work with them. And how can we handle this differently? Because when you sit down and they talk face to face, it's a very different outcome than when they're just doing it through the phone.”

“I feel better. I feel like I'm doing more work. I feel like I'm doing better in school,” Granville said. “You should be doing schoolwork and talking with your friends and being social instead of just being on your phone.”

Although there are no guarantees, prohibiting smart devices could provide students an opportunity for more engagement and developing relationships offline. School districts are now tasked with ensuring their policies are updated and visible on their websites by Aug. 1.