NYC Cellphone Ban In Public Schools Planned Early Next Year: Report

NEW YORK CITY — New York City schools could implement a cellphone ban by early next year, according to a report.

The ban could go into effect as early as February, Chalkbeat reported.

A number of school principals were briefed on the matter and were told schools would be responsible with coming up with their own rules — for example, whether devices are collected at the start day or if students are required to put their phones in cloth cases for phones that are locked with a magnet, according to the report.

In addition, schools may be required to buy cubbies or other storage equipment for student's phones.

When asked about the proposed ban timeline, a DOE spokesperson said, "no decisions have been made yet."

Schools Chancellor David Banks has previously said in interviews that he thinks cell phones are "a real distraction in schools"

According to Banks, principals have previously told him they want some type of citywide policy put in place.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is also considering a ban on smartphones in schools. Students would only be able to have cellphones that can’t access the internet.

One principal voiced concern about the possible timeline for the ban, Chalkbeat reported. They are worried implementing a new policy midyear could prove challenging.

“The amount of money it takes to successfully collect, secure, and distribute around 700 phones every day is staggering,” a school administrator said to Chalkbeat.