New York’s Ban on Cellphones in Schools Is Going ‘Better Than Expected’ NYT | Top Stories Michael Levenson 10 September 2025 at 17:03 In the country’s largest district to ban phones, students, teachers and parents reported some frustrations, but also benefits. © Shuran Huang for The New York TimesParents dropping off their children at Hamilton Grange Middle School in Harlem. A ban on cellphones and other internet-connected devices went into effect for New York City public schools as the school year began.