There was a notable difference at Walt Whitman High School on Tuesday as students in the halls looked straight ahead — instead of down at their cellphones.
It marked the first day that many school districts implemented New York’s statewide, bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions in schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“It’s controversial, a lot of people are like ‘I don’t like this,'” said senior Isabella Galindo, who says the phone ban comes as a relief to her. “It’s that temptation that you just don’t need, honestly. Not looking at it now I focus a lot more.”
The school’s leadership has already noticed a difference.
“You can hear the tone in the energy of the classroom, and more importantly in the lunchroom, there is more social interaction because they can’t bury themselves in their phones,” said Principal Dr. John Murphy.
Inside the classroom, students have their eyes on their work, not distracted by their devices – which is the purpose of the school cellphone ban.
“It’s going to take some getting used to, but I’m not reaching for my phone,” said senior Lucy Maniatis. “I don’t feel the need to shoot a text message to my friend because I know all of us don’t have it.”
Some schools like Walt Whitman are asking kids to store their phones in their lockers. They can’t be taken out until the last bell rings, including lunch and any free periods they may have.
Other schools like Uniondale High School, are making use of cellphone pouches that can only be unlocked with devices placed near the school exits at the end of the day.
Uniondale High senior Andrew Madrid says he notices people are interacting more.
“The cafeteria is a lot louder and a lot of people were having fun and actually talking,” he said.
For many students and even teachers, it’s going to be an adjustment.
“I’ve had classes where teachers say ‘Take out your phones and take a picture — oh wait,'” explained Valentina Goris, a Uniondale High senior. “It’s definitely very weird. But I think it’s a mindset thing. We just have to learn that we can’t always depend on them.”
If you are found with your phone, there are warnings and consequences. Some parents having a harder time adjusting than the kids
“I’ve noticed when the parents start to panic and be anxious, that affects their children,” said Dr. Shawn Brown, Uniondale High School principal. “It’s codependence and the parents say it’s for the children, but it’s really for parents.”
Still, there are many parents who do not like the full day ban because their children are not able to stay in constant communication throughout the day.
“I feel safer if my child has that open line of communication available to me,” explained Uniondale parent Carmelo Maisonet. “So I’m not really feeling the cell phone ban.”
Under the new law, parents will be able to contact their child through the school and children can call their parents as well through school phone lines. There are also exemptions for certain students who require medical monitoring, or students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and special learning requirements.