New York Banned Phones in School—Teachers Say Kids Are Social Again

Teachers said students are more attentive, respectful, and engaged. Meanwhile, a national study found no meaningful improvement in test scores.

Governor Kathy Hochul and City Council Member Sandy Nurse discuss New York state’s K–12 school cell phone ban in a roundtable discussion with students at J.H.S 383 Philippa Schuyler, in the New York City borough of Brooklyn on June 1, 2026. Courtesy of New York Governor's Office

The first school year where students in New York state could not use their cell phones for the entire school day is coming to a close, and teachers say that students are more attentive in class and socialize more during lunch, according to officials.

“This gives me a sense of great pride,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaking on June 1 at Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Brooklyn.