This year, throughout New York state, students are experiencing a phone ban in schools. The impacts of this are especially seen in high school where students are most attached to their phones. Although the policy aims to reduce classroom distractions, it is also affecting students socially and emotionally.

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Without phones, students are forced to talk more in person and pay more attention to what's around them. They can talk to people they may not hang out with and have real conversations instead of scrolling. English teacher, Lauren Muller, has noticed that “the halls have a buzz again; they sound like when I first started and students communicated much more openly and freely.” Not only did Muller notice the sound in the halls, but she also communicated that “in the classroom, interaction amongst peers is noisier. The noise, though, is good - they are sharing ideas and perceptions. While I am aware that students do miss their phones to a degree, I also observe their awakening to just how much the removal benefits their education and relationships.”

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On the other hand, some students may feel detached from their friends because they can’t text or check social media. Phones are the main way teens stay connected, so not having them can feel stressful. Students may worry about missing messages or feeling uninvolved from conversations with friends who they may not see during the school day. Freshman Olivia Canaras admits that the most frustrating part is that she “can’t text her family or friends or listen to music.”

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Overall, the policy has both good and bad effects, but it is changing how students connect with each other.