Against

The new cell phone ban was approved by New York lawmakers on May 6th, 2025. This state mandate prevents student from using their phones during the school day. The aim of this is to help the students stay focused in school and to talk to each other face to face. But in my opinion, the phone ban is not helpful.

What impact will this ban have on students? This means students are no longer able to use cell phones on campus. Students have to place their cell phones in the infamous Yondr pouches: magnetically-locking, reusable pouches that can only be opened at  specific stations, or by a staff member with a Yondr magnet.

In the event of an emergency, students will be unable to reach friends, family, or school staff members that may be able to help. Parents are concerned about their children’s safety, asking themselves, “what if there’s an emergency”? If there’s a lock-down or something dangerous happens, how are students supposed to contact their parents? And how are parents supposed to know their kids are safe? Without phones, we have to go to the main office or wait until the end of the day, which can cause major delays. Many are worried that this decision wasn’t fully thought through.

Phones aren’t just for social media or games – students rely on apps such as Google Classroom, Google Docs, or Reminders to keep track of their homework, projects, etc. A lot of students also use their phones to let their parents know if they need a ride home or need to stay at school late for extracurricular activities. A lot of school clubs, sports teams, and group projects use their phones to help plan events or meetings. Group chats are how many students stay in touch about sports practice or school events. Students in the media department use their phones to record interviews, take photos, write down quick notes, and do research. If phones aren’t allowed, how are students supposed to get things done?

The point of the ban is to help students do better in school and talk with each other more. That sounds good, but if students feel less safe, less supported, or more stressed, will it really help?

By: Janet Castaneda

For

Curtis is about three weeks into living with the state-mandated phone ban, and the school environment has changed drastically. While many have argued against the phone ban, I believe its numerous benefits outweigh any potential cons.

Without phones to distract them, students are present and attentive in class. I can’t even count the number of times my teachers had to pause their lesson in order to get a student to stop looking at their phone. Now, these disruptions are almost non-existent. I’m not the only one noticing this development. Ms. Alia Jackson, a physics teacher, explained her gratitude for the ban: “I don’t know if I have the words to express how wonderful it’s been to have the full attention of a classroom full of students.”

Additionally, the sheer boredom that students are experiencing without phones has pushed them to seek out other avenues of entertainment. The Curtis library has an expansive collection of books and board games, which students have already dipped into. Some have even turned to finishing up homework for lack of something to do. Overall, students have become more productive.

One primary concern that critics have is that phones played an important part in the classroom. However, the setbacks created by the ban can easily be remediated. Teachers are turning back to paper assignments, and minimizing the amount of work posted on Google Classroom. “I have unfortunately been doing a bit more paper than normal,” Ms. Jackson added. In fact, her class is based on online labs. “I did rely on kids to be able to take pictures of things. I had  to completely rewrite a lab because kids don’t have the ability to take pictures. Totally worth it, though. Without a doubt.”

While I do see the errant phone every now and then, they are few and far between. For the most part, students have complied with the ban and become better for it. I believe that, at least for Curtis, the phone ban has been a resounding success. Students are more aware of their surroundings, focused, and involved in the classroom.

By: Angeline Collado