NYC educators are pushing the joys of 'distraction-free' schools over fears of 'cellphone ban'

"As part of New York's statewide ban on personal internet-enabled devices, Bard High School Early College had just rolled out its cellphone collection policy, and Chock-Goldman was prepared for students to test its limits. She approached the group and made a surprising discovery. They were marveling at a baby bird nestled inside of a plant. She called it the "perfect fairy-tale story example" of how the cellphone ban has opened up new opportunities for students to engage with the world and with each other."

"parents, educators, and mental health workers have already noticed benefits - from stronger social connections and improved focus to fewer fights and incidents of bullying. Still, not all students are on board with the changes, and adults are working to support them through the transition, figuring out ways to better respond to their emotional needs and trying to shift their mindset by using language like "cellphone free" instead of "cellphone ban" to emphasize students' freedom from their devices."

Two weeks into the school year, Manhattan school social worker Jessica Chock-Goldman found about 20 students gathered around a baby bird in the courtyard after Bard High School Early College implemented a cellphone collection policy under New York's statewide ban. Staff reported increased face-to-face interaction and socializing among students. Parents, educators, and mental health workers observed benefits including stronger social connections, improved focus, and fewer fights and bullying incidents. Some students resisted the bell-to-bell ban, prompting adults to provide emotional support, adjust responses, and reframe rules with language such as "cellphone free" to emphasize freedom from devices.

Read at Chalkbeat