(Photo: David Wilson on Wikimedia Commons)

Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent proposal to ban cell phones in all New York public and charter schools has sparked debate among students, parents and educators alike. This extreme plan, which the state legislature will likely vote on this month as part of Hochul’s budget, would take effect next school year and require students to store their phones and internet-enabled devices during the school day. While Hochul argues the ban will reduce distractions and improve academic focus, there is growing concern that it could negatively impact students’ mental health, social lives and—most importantly—safety. I am a member of the digital device committee at Pelham Memorial High School and have regular meetings with adults and students to discuss policy implementation and what it means for the students at PMHS.

Teen mental health has been a growing concern nationwide and is the driving force behind the possible cell phone ban. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven ten to 19 year olds experiences a mental disorder. While excessive screen time has been cited as a contributor to mental health struggles, outright bans on phones may worsen the problem rather than solve it.

A 2023 study published in The Lancet, a medical journal, examined the impact of school phone bans on 1,227 students aged 12 to 15. Researchers found no significant improvement in mental health between students at schools with phone bans and those without. While some students experienced fewer distractions, the study said that banning phones did not address underlying issues such as social anxiety or the need for digital communication among peers.

In today’s world, social interactions increasingly happen online, and removing phones during school hours could make it harder for teens to stay connected. Many students rely on text messages and social media to coordinate afterschool plans, seek emotional support from friends and even communicate with their parents during stressful moments. When the school environment becomes overwhelming, having access to a personal device can provide a sense of security and control. The Pew Research Center published a study in 2019 revealing that 84% of teens use their cell phones to connect with others, emphasizing the utilization of a phone during school hours to promote social interaction.

Perhaps the most pressing issue with the smart phone ban is its potential impact on student safety. With school shootings and bomb threats on the rise across the country—including in Pelham, in the case of bomb scares—eliminating students’ ability to communicate during emergencies could have serious consequences.

Being Able to Communicate with a Loved One

School shootings seem so distant and unrealistic for PMHS. However, according to data from USA Facts, the 2021-2022 school year recorded the highest number of shooting incidents in schools since data collection began in 2000. In high-stress situations like these, students often rely on their phones to call for help, contact their families or receive real-time updates from law enforcement. Removing this capability from students could delay critical communication and worsen the chaos in an already dangerous situation.

Another add-on to this is the concern for mental health in such scenarios. Life-threatening situations like these involve high stress, anxiety-inducing environments where students are contacting their parents and loved ones to help them calm down. From a psychological standpoint, being able to communicate with a loved one is critical at a time the student and their families are on edge.

Although during emergency incidents phones may be used to accidentally spread misinformation, that does not cancel out the good the devices do in circumstances like these. In recent years, both Pelham Middle School and PMHS have had bomb threats that led to evacuations. In a specific incident just over a year ago, students were forced to leave their classrooms due to a bomb threat received via email. While the threat was ultimately deemed a hoax, the event left students and parents anxious about safety protocols.

Last year, I texted my mom with constant updates when I was given them during that evacuation. I was standing on Ingalls Field, awaiting information, when before my teacher told me anything, I received an email from the principal with the plan to move to a second location. This was before I was verbally provided with any information. They did not send this out to parents; I texted my mom again and explained what was going on and what was next. During such emergencies, the ability to quickly contact parents is critical for both students’ emotional well-being and logistical reasons. If a similar threat were to occur under a cell phone ban, students would have no way to communicate with their families, leaving parents in the dark about their children’s safety.

Beyond concerns about mental health and safety, the proposed state ban also would not instill personal responsibility in high school students. Schools are ultimately meant to prepare students for life beyond, including higher education and the workforce. In college, students are trusted to manage their own time, and in most workplaces, employees are expected to regulate their own phone usage. A company is unlikely to physically confiscate phones—rather, individuals must learn to discipline themselves and focus on the tasks at hand.

Shielding Students from Practicing Skills

By enforcing a strict ban, schools are shielding students from practicing the very skills they need to succeed in adulthood. Rather than taking away phones entirely, educators should focus on teaching students how to manage their screen time responsibly. If a high schooler cannot put their phone away during class and their grades suffer as a result, that is a lesson in accountability. Students who choose to ignore their education in favor of scrolling on their phones should face the natural consequences.

There is no doubt that excessive phone use in classrooms can be distracting. However, rather than implementing a blanket ban, PMHS and other New York schools should be allowed to focus on digital-responsibility education. Teaching students and even adults how to manage screen time, setting boundaries on phone use during class and encouraging face-to-face interactions could be more effective than an outright prohibition. Face-to-face communication isn’t just a skill for students; it’s a life skill that adults need to practice as well. In an increasingly digital world, many adults are finding it challenging to maintain strong interpersonal connections without the crutch of screens. Just as students need to learn to socialize and work together in person, adults also need opportunities to develop these essential skills for their careers, personal relationships and overall well-being. School is where structured face-to-face interaction is prioritized, and it is essential that students master this before transitioning to college or the workforce.

Should the new phone rules not pass as part of the budget, PMHS could explore middle-ground solutions or adapt their current policies, such as allowing phone access during lunch breaks or in designated areas. Many districts across the country have adopted policies where students must keep their phones in lockers during class but can access them between periods. These policies strike a balance between reducing distractions and maintaining a line of communication for safety and social needs. The Pelham school board implemented a no-phones-during-instruction policy last July that limits phone usage to free time and keeps the phones in calculator caddies during class. This has improved attentiveness and prevented issues such as social blockage and instilled personal responsibility.

While the intent behind the governor’s bell-to-bell phone ban may be to improve focus and reduce screen addiction, the potential risks outweigh the benefits. Concerns about mental health, social isolation, student safety and the failure to teach personal responsibility all point to the flaws in the proposed policy.

Instead of banning phones outright, New York should focus on policies that promote responsible use while ensuring that students are not left vulnerable in emergencies. In an age where digital connection is more important than ever, a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the best solution for the diverse needs of today’s students.

JJ Hetzer is a staff reporter at the Pelham Examiner and a member of the PMHS digital device committee.