New York City Students Struggle to Read Clocks After Smartphone Ban

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In an unexpected turn of events, the recent ban on cellphones in New York City schools has highlighted a concerning trend: many students lack the ability to read analog clocks. Teachers across the city report that students frequently ask for the time, revealing that this essential skill has been largely overlooked in an age dominated by digital devices.

As educators grapple with this issue, they emphasize a growing gap in fundamental skills among students who have become reliant on their smartphones for everyday tasks. This situation raises important questions about the implications of technology on learning and skill retention.

Challenges in the classroom

Teachers like Madi Mornhinweg, who instructs high school English in Manhattan, express frustration as they hear a common refrain: “Miss, what time is it?” She recalls prompting her students with, “Where’s the big hand and where’s the little hand?” This indicates a widespread absence of knowledge regarding how to read traditional clocks.

Tiana Millen, an assistant principal at Cardozo High School in Queens, also noted this issue, stating, “This is a major skill that they’re not used to at all.” The reliance on digital devices has rendered many students unable to interpret the time from classroom clocks, which are primarily analog.

Back to basics: the lost art of telling time

Some students acknowledge that while they were taught to read clocks in elementary school, they quickly abandoned this skill. Cheyenne Francis, a 14-year-old from Midwood High School, explained, “I know how to read a clock, but I only struggle when the time displayed is incorrect, as sometimes the clocks aren’t set properly.” This acknowledgment highlights the disconnection that has arisen between traditional skills and modern technology.

Furthermore, concerns about students’ abilities to interpret analog timepieces predate the cellphone ban. A study conducted in Oklahoma in found that only 20% of children aged 6 to 12 could effectively tell time. Meanwhile, England has begun replacing analog clocks with digital alternatives in schools, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional methods.

Benefits of the cellphone ban

Despite the revelation concerning clock-reading skills, the cellphone prohibition has yielded positive outcomes in several areas. Teachers report that students are more engaged during class, social interactions during lunch have improved, and the flow of traffic in hallways has become more efficient. Ironically, while many students struggle to tell time, they are arriving at class more punctually, thanks to fewer distractions from their devices.

New York City’s statewide smartphone ban, implemented at the beginning of the school year, has garnered mixed reactions. While some educators emphasize the need for students to learn how to manage their time using both digital and analog clocks, others recognize the unforeseen gaps in basic skills that have emerged.

Balancing technology and traditional skills

Isla Gething, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education, noted, “At NYCPS, we recognize how essential it is for our students to tell the time on both analog and digital clocks.” This acknowledgment reflects the necessity of maintaining traditional skills as students navigate an increasingly digital world. Educators emphasize the importance of teaching terms such as “o’clock,” “half-past,” and “quarter-to” to ensure that students retain a grasp on these fundamental concepts.

While some students may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of revisiting these skills, others, like Farzona Yakuba, recognize the potential for growth. “I know how to read the clock, but I empathize with those who struggle,” she stated. “Many students have simply become lazy and choose to ask others instead.”