Opinion: Distraction-free is the way forward

When’s the last time that you glanced at your phone? One minute ago? 30 seconds ago? Are you scrolling Instagram while you read this sentence?

The truth is, you may not even realize how often you’re looking at your screen. That’s because cell phones are a constant distraction throughout our day, whether it’s receiving texts and calls or scrolling through social media. While it’s important to be connected, we can all admit the downsides of being stuck on our phones throughout the day.

For students, it’s even worse.

Imagine being a middle-school or high-school student trying to navigate social circles and acclimate to a new school, all while struggling with the negative impacts of social media. Rates of cyberbullying have been increasing year over year, and 46% of teens have reported experiencing some kind of bullying online. On top of that, social media has serious negative consequences on kids’ mental health. Rates of depression and suicide among teens has been skyrocketing in tandem with the increase in use of social media. Simply put, social media is harmful to our kids.

Or try thinking about learning in an environment with the constant buzzing of your cell phone. One study found that students spend 1.5 hours on their cell phone during the course of a 6.5-hour school day. Equally alarming, students are receiving on average 237 notifications per day according to a 2023 report. This all results in the obvious: 72% of high school teachers report that cell phone distraction is a major issue in the classroom.

The good news: We can change this. Right now, Gov. Kathy Hochul has a proposal before the state Legislature to institute a “bell-to-bell” distraction-free policy for schools throughout New York state. The proposal would restrict smartphones from being used in the school building from the first bell to the last. It’s a plan that deserves to be put into action. Without bell-to-bell, student interactions between classes would be stifled and teachers would be forced to monitor phone usage in the hallways as well as in classrooms instead of teaching.

The governor’s plan has been endorsed by the United Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers, who recognize the harm that these devices have on learning and the distraction that phones cause throughout the school day. We are glad to join them, parents and many others in support of a proposal that would create safer schools and better learning environments.

In our discussions with teachers and principals, we hear resounding support. Teachers appreciate not having to be responsible for policing students’ cell phone use. For those schools that have tried a version of this plan, they found more positive social interactions, fewer altercations, and less drowning in the 24/7 use of cell phones. And parents have appreciated the focus on learning.

Of course, we all recognize that there are instances where a student has to stay in touch with a family member. The governor’s proposal allows that. Under the plan, each school is required to have a method for parents to reach their children during the school day. Students can also continue to use simple cell phones without an internet connection so they can stay connected to their families.

As two native New Yorkers, we remember vividly the days of going to school before cell phones. We managed through emergencies, snow storms and other major events. But what we did not have is the constant distraction, the spread of misinformation, or the pressure of bullying or harassment on social media. So many of us learned and thrived in this exact format without a cell phone in our hands constantly.

We can make a big difference in the lives and learning of New York students this year by passing the governor’s proposal. It’s time that we let students be saved by the bell-to-bell.