NYC families and teachers weigh in on schools’ cell phone policies

School cell phone regulations are being closely scrutinized across the country. We are interested in hearing about the current situation at your school in New York City.

Following the transition from remote learning to in-person classes post-pandemic, educators have observed a growing dependency of students on their mobile devices. This has prompted more schools to test various methods to restrict phone usage during school hours.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has strongly criticized the negative impact of social media on children’s mental well-being, categorizing it as a public health concern. He has taken legal action against five major social media corporations.

While attempts to prohibit or regulate cell phone use in schools have gained traction, they have also faced substantial resistance. Concerns include parents fearing the inability to contact their children in emergencies and stakeholders arguing that strict regulations limit access to a valuable tool and the chance to use technology responsibly.

In New York, we aim to delve deeper into the strategies employed by schools regarding cell phones. We seek to understand the different policies being implemented – or avoided – and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each approach. Kindly complete the brief survey below to help shape our investigative efforts.