Mayor Eric Adams poured cold water Tuesday on an imminent citywide school cell phone ban, citing a number of remaining obstacles and saying the city is “not there yet.“
“There will be some action in the upcoming school year, but the extent of a full ban, we’re not there yet. We want to make sure we have parents on board,” Adams said at a press briefing Tuesday in response to a question from Chalkbeat.
“The previous administration attempted to do this, and they had to roll back,” Adams added, referencing a previous cell phone ban instituted by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, then overturned by his successor, former Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I don’t want to go backwards after we make a determination.”
Adams’ comments significantly dial back the message that schools Chancellor David Banks offered just months ago about the likelihood of a citywide school cell phone ban.
“You’re going to hear, within the next two weeks, the big announcement, but I will tell you we are very much leaning towards banning cell phones,” Banks said on June 26.