Governor Kathy Houchul’s K-12 State Wide phone ban leaves high school seniors concerned as to where this leaves them for their last year of high school.

New York’s new K-12 phone ban is forcing high school seniors who are entering into one of the most intense years of their lives so far with college applications, scholarships, deadlines, and intense courses all underway. This year will challenge them to rethink how they learn, work, and stay connected.

It’s more than just a phone. Students are not allowed to bring any non-school-issued devices, including personal laptops, iPads, AirPods.  For seniors who perhaps have figured out how they learn best in school, this could pose a large challenge.

For most seniors, this is a make-or-break year.  With deadlines up ahead, high school seniors need to stay as concentrated and focused as possible.  While the phone ban may seem helpful in making that happen, it is clear that new learning curves will have to be overcome.  As for their impending future, according to Pew Research, Nearly 90% of college students use laptops daily for note-taking, research, and assignments. The reduction of advanced technology that seniors will be able to access throughout the school day will potentially cut down their academic efficiency in the next chapter of their lives.  

“Time is of the essence” says Joan Keegan principal of Herricks High School. As Seniors embark on their final year of k – 12 education, they enter the real world more than ever before, Joan Keegam emphasizes.  So “not being able to have a familiar device” can put many seniors at a significant setback.  As many school issued devices are extremely restricted and of low technical quality.  It makes it hard for students to stay efficient in school, especially senior students with a heavy load of tasks.

“I’m concerned about my efficiency during school time,” says Jenya Bawa, a Herricks High School student.  I’m used to having my ipad to take notes on and my laptop to keep me on top of all of my deadlines.”  It can be a very difficult transition for not only senior students but for all K-12 students as many students of all ages have grown accustomed to specific ways of learning involving the use of other technologies.  

“Music helps me to focus when I’m working independently in school and it’s something my teachers allow me to do” Says Shanice Cai, another student at Herricks High School.  This is just one of the technologies that students use to help them stay on top of their academics.

Councilwoman Christine Liu of Nassau County District 4 takes a different approach by stating that the phone ban may be vital in keeping students focused while in the classroom.  However, as a mom, she wants to be able to communicate with her kids in school and make sure that they are safe.  “Students should be able to use their device during the off period to text their parents, take breaks, catch up with social media and things they’ve missed out on,” says Councilwoman Christin Liu. Devices in school can offer vital mental breaks to students, improving their experience in school as long as they use their devices responsibly.  

For High School Seniors, this school year may look and feel a bit different.  Whether that’s better or worse, it depends on the student. All students and faculty across New York will be required to make significant adjustments over this upcoming school year.  

This article was written for the Yale Daily News’ 2025 Summer Journalism Program for high school students.