For the 2025-26 school year, Governor Kathy Hochul passed a law banning cell phones for the entire school day, bell to bell. Students aren’t allowed to have any electronic devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, or any Bluetooth devices.
The statewide ban of cell phones in the state of New York imposes more restrictions on students than the policy put into effect at New Hartford last year that covered all aspects except during lunch.
Mr. Benson,New Hartford Senior High Principal, said the goal of this ban is to reduce the time that students spend on their electronic devices and screen time in general.
“We are 10 days into school and I’m pleasantly surprised with how the students are being and that they are complying with the law and policy,” Mr. Benson said.
Mr. Romanow, Dean of Students, said, “I agree that the change was to help our students get off their phones more.”
“ Most of the ban was decided by law, the rest was conducted by a survey of parents, students, and teachers, and then we met with a focus group,” Mr. Benson said, “Some concerns about the ban on cell phones are that it isn’t teaching the students of New Hartford High School the acceptable use of cell phones in school.”
Mr. Romanow also says he already thinks the ban of cell phones has had a positive change especially in between classes. Mr. Romanow likes to see students up and talking to each other instead of staring at their phones in the hallways not interacting with friends and fellow students.
Mr. Romanow says his initial reaction to the ban was, “It was going to be very difficult, but I was happy that we had last year to practice.”
At first, Mr. Benson was disappointed that students wouldn’t be able to use their phones during lunch.
“I abide by the ban on cell phones because it’s the law, but students, especially high school students, should have some flexibility,” Mr. Benson said.
Mr. Romanow is very proud with how the students are respectfully handling the ban and is looking forward to continuing to work on this ban throughout the next few years. Mr Romanow also says people might not agree with the state-wide ban on cellphones in schools, but even students understand the benefits and why it was put in place.
“I agree with the ban of cells because students are less addicted to their phones during the school day,” Kemon Sims, a student at New Hartford, said.
Kemon also believes the best place to keep your phone is in your locker because during the first day of school second block Kemon’s phone was taken away because it fell out of his pocket. Kemon says if there was one thing he would change about the cell phone ban it would be that students are able to use their phones during lunch.
Teachers have also noticed positive changes as a result of the cell phone ban.
Mrs. Worwa, a social studies teacher at New Hartford, says, “I feel that students are far less distracted in the classroom, and it’s nice they are willing to have more conversations with classmates and teachers.”
Mr. Benson thinks the ban on cell phones will have a positive impact on students and faculty, but it will take some time for everyone to get used to the ban and thinks students’ grades will go up because there will be less distractions in classrooms and throughout the hallways.
