A recent ban on mobile phones in New York state schools has revealed an unexpected consequence: a significant number of students have lost the ability to tell the time using traditional analogue clocks.
A Lost Skill in the Digital Age
Teachers across New York City report that since the statewide ban came into force in September 2025, they have been inundated with questions from pupils asking for the time. The policy, backed by Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York City teacher's union, was designed to curb phone use, but it has highlighted a deeper educational shift.
Tiana Millen, an assistant principal at Cardozo High School in Queens, told local outlet Gothamist that reading an analogue clock is "a major skill that they're not used to at all." While the city's curriculum intends for children to learn basic time-telling in first and second grade, the dominance of digital devices has left the skill unpractised.
"The constant refrain is 'Miss, what time is it?'" explained Manhattan English teacher Madi Mornhinweg. She described the situation as a source of frustration, especially as students are keen to know how long is left in a lesson. Her solution has been to prompt them with: "Where's the big hand and where's the little hand?"
A Cultural Shift in School Corridors
Beyond the clock dilemma, educators and students alike note a dramatic change in the school atmosphere. The reduction in screen time has led to a surge in face-to-face interaction.
Reports detail increased activity during breaks, from sports to louder, more engaged conversations in lunch rooms. Rosalmi, a senior at New Heights Academy Charter School in Harlem, told New York Magazine that the ban had fostered more "school spirit" and that "people are more willing to do stuff."
Traditional games have seen a resurgence. Pupils have been playing dominoes—a game described passionately as a "staple Dominican" activity—along with cards and board games in their spare moments, replacing the habitual scrolling on their phones.
Evasion and Adaptation
The ban has not been universally seamless. Some tech-savvy students have attempted to circumvent the rules by using older digital devices like iPods or even bringing walkie-talkies to school.
The policy also presents practical challenges. Raisa Ibnat, a 16-year-old senior at Brooklyn Tech, expressed a "love-hate" relationship with the ban to The New York Times. While she appreciates the increased focus in class, she misses the ability to do homework or take digital notes, now requiring her to carry multiple notebooks on her long commute.
New York is not alone in this approach. Prior to the statewide rule, districts like Schoharie implemented their own bans in 2022, observing positive results including better student socialisation. According to Education Week, at least 31 states and the District of Columbia now have some form of school phone restrictions. California is set to join them, with its Phone-Free School Act requiring every district to develop a policy by July 2026.
The New York experiment shows that while removing phones can revitalise school culture and interaction, it also exposes foundational skills that may need renewed emphasis in an increasingly digital world.
