[throwup238]

The statewide ban is a new thing, but phones were already banned when I went to school decades ago, along with gameboys, MP3 players, and all other electronics except a calculator. If you had it out in class, it would get taken away.

That kids were ever allowed smartphones to begin with is a regression from the status quo we had not long ago.

[macNchz]

It sounds to me like the distinction here is that the ban in NY specifies the entire school day, as opposed to just during class.