No cellphone ban in schools this year, says Adams

August 29, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

A high-schooler places her cellphone into a phone holder. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File

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CITYWIDE — MAYOR ADAMS ON Tuesday walked back rumors that the city is preparing to institute a full ban on cell phones in public schools in the upcoming semester, according to Chalkbeat. The mayor said that while the Department of Education will take “some action” on cell phones, the city has not yet worked out issues related to enforcement and parent support and doesn’t want to move too quickly, citing a failed attempt at a phone ban by the de Blasio administration. Many schools across the system already ban phones for students, with many using electronically lockable cloth pouches made by Yondr. Adams at the press conference appeared to indicate the DoE is exploring this route, saying “Who pays for the pouches? What mechanism is being used? We’ve been doing a lot of reviews.”

Schools chief David Banks in June had alluded to an upcoming phone ban. Insiders told Chalkbeat last month that the department was considering a February start date.

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