Since New York City’s phone ban went into effect, lunchtime shifted at Edison. This change forced students to find new ways to entertain themselves without their phones. 

As the phone ban takes effect at Edison, students are not allowed to use their phones from the moment they enter school until the end of the day, including during lunch. As a result, students have found new ways to pass the time. Some do homework on their Chromebooks, while others walk around and talk with friends. Many students play card games like Uno at lunch tables. Others skip lunch to do service in the library or guidance office, or leave the cafeteria to play board games provided by the school.

“I see them communicating more and rather than playing games on their devices, I see them playing actual games like cards,” said Niyah Panchu, Senior. “Sometimes students are able to go outside and play volleyball or soccer with their friends.”

During free periods, students are engaging with each other more and feel more connected to the school community through service and socializing.

Many other adults at Edison have also noticed this positive shift in behavior. When students help in places like the school store or COSA office, they spend time talking with staff members such as Ms. Tonisha Phippps.

“I feel like students talk to each other more in lunch and they are more social. The phone ban makes us more aware of our surroundings,” said student Chrisette Bowen, Sophomore. 

The phone ban has pushed students out of their comfort zones, making them more comfortable socializing. It has encouraged students to start conversations and be less awkward with others. More students now walk around promoting fundraisers and asking peers to support them.

Although, the phone ban introduces better ways to keep students occupied during school hours. There are a few negative aspects that come with it. 

“It is harder to communicate directly to your family/parents because there are only certain rooms that you can go into to unlock your pouch to make a call,”  Senior Niyah Panchu said.

Parents can no longer directly contact their children during the school day. The only way students can reach family members is with permission from a guidance counselor in the guidance office.

While some kids are getting more engaged in social activities, others are finding themselves becoming disinterested at times and not know what to do without their phones. People who don’t want to socialize are stuck not knowing how to fulfill what their phones did.

“I see people sitting by themselves and not really socializing or wanting to socialize. I think people like myself at times, get really bored and don’t know what to do,” Junior Ian Durrant said.

Lunchtime at Edison has shifted from self-isolating individuals to students socially engaging with their peers.

“Usually it’s with communication. I’ve noticed more students sleeping but I’ve also seen students playing card games,” Freshman Carol Grace said.