Anayali Fontanez

The Phone Home wall in Mr. DA’s classroom

Over the past few years, Yondr pouches have been making their way into schools across the country. Yondr pouches are small pouches used to secure phones and other electronic devices away temporarily. Once closed, Yondr pouches require a special magnet in order to be unlocked. 

The concept allows for electronic devices to be stowed away and unable to be accessed without being removed from the owner. They were first introduced to concert venues and school districts in the bay area, but now have spread all over the country and internationally. Recently, some New York City schools have begun to use them to allow for a learning environment without phones, airpods and other electronic devices.  

However, some could turn into all. According to NPR “David Banks, the chancellor of New York City Public Schools, announced Wednesday that he and Mayor Eric Adams plan to ban the use of phones in the coming weeks, saying phones have gone from a distraction to an addiction for many of the city’s more than 900,000 students.” 

Banks sees phones as not just a distraction, but an addiction. The ban, which could begin February of 2025, would make schools collect phones, store them in cubbies, or even buy Yondr pouches for the students. This ban is seen as a way to shift students’ attention away from their cellphones and back to the classroom, however, student and teacher views have their differences. 

One of Baruch’s science teachers, Ashley Grey agrees with the negative effects of cell phones. “Yes, I do think it is overall negatively affecting the learning environment,” she said. 

However, she still acknowledges the educational tools and resources cell phones bring to the classroom.

“There are so many cool apps out there, more than I have brought into the classroom, and others that I would like to continue to use like seek.” she said.

Although Grey does acknowledge the positive aspects of cell phones in the classroom, she does agree they are a large distraction.

 Students however, tend to have conflicting views. Freshman Abby Marden seemed to have a positive mindset. 

“It is very easy  to be distracted, but it also can benefit the learning experience to give a better understanding.” she said.

Marden elaborates upon this idea, “Cellphones can benefit schools like using certain learning apps in some subjects, taking photos of notes and things to remember and for doing research,” she said.

Sophomore Ashely Yau leans towards a more neutral approach “A cellphone ban would be both beneficial and hurtful as not as many education platforms are on today due to pandemic cellphones definitely act as a distraction especially towards the learning environment.” said Yau.

Though Junior Victoria Kozdra seems to think differently.  “I believe cell phones impact the learning environment due to them often being a distraction to students,” she said.

Overall, different students tend to take different approaches to the subject.

 While recognizing the perspective from both a student and teacher’s eyes, there are many pros and cons to cell phones in classrooms.  However, students tend to believe that the pros outweigh the cons. Though they are also seen as equally important, teachers believe quite the opposite.