Summarised by Centrist
New York City schools have scrapped plans to ban cell phones following pushback from parents, who argued that phones are essential during emergencies.
Schools Chancellor David Banks said, “Parents were saying that ‘if an emergency happens, I need to be in touch with my child.’”
The decision comes as Banks prepares to retire early, amid a corruption investigation.
Banks initially supported limiting phone use but reversed his stance after parents raised concerns about communication during incidents at two Upper West Side schools in September involving a false gunman report .
The reversal contrasts with studies suggesting that banning phones can improve academic performance and reduce bullying.
A report from The Epoch Times cited a Norwegian study which found that banning smartphones decreased the need for psychological care among students, especially girls.
Psychotherapist Tom Kersting, who served as a school counsellor for 25 years, supported the idea, saying, “The phones are an absolute distraction. Even if a kid has the phone in their pocket… their mind automatically shifts away from what the teacher is teaching.”
