{"id":3640,"date":"2025-12-30T21:20:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T02:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycnewsnetwork.com\/nycpolitics\/nyc-students-struggle-with-basic-skills-after-citywide-phone-ban\/"},"modified":"2025-12-30T21:20:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T02:20:50","slug":"nyc-students-struggle-with-basic-skills-after-citywide-phone-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nycnewsnetwork.com\/nycpolitics\/nyc-students-struggle-with-basic-skills-after-citywide-phone-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC Students Struggle With Basic Skills After Citywide Phone Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following New York City\u2019s new ban on cellphones in public schools, educators have observed an unforeseen issue: more students are having trouble with basic skills once considered routine for their age. Reports from teachers indicate a growing number are unable to use analog clocks or perform simple time-telling without the aid of their phones.<\/p>\n

Effective at the start of the 2025\u201326 school year, this policy outlaws student use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices throughout school hours and grounds. While it is meant to reduce classroom distractions and foster attentiveness, it has also exposed deficiencies in fundamental skills. For more information, visit Governor\u2019s Office on Education Initiatives<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of our students rely on their cellphones for most tasks,\u201d said a teacher from Manhattan. \u201cOnce those are taken away, the struggle with daily basics like telling the time becomes clear.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Educators\u2019 Response<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Schools across the city are now placing new emphasis on life skills by bringing back traditional lessons, such as analog clock reading, mental calculation, and other everyday abilities.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, some educators see beneficial changes as a result of the policy:<\/p>\n