TL;DR
New York City’s recent ban on smartphones at school has led teachers to notice that some students struggle to read traditional analog clocks. Educators say the rule improved focus and movement around campus, but also highlighted gaps in a basic time‑telling skill.
What happened
When New York’s schoolwide ban on smartphones took effect this fall, several teachers across the city discovered an unanticipated consequence: a number of students do not reliably read analog wall clocks. Staff at schools including Cardozo High School in Queens reported smoother hallway traffic, better attention in class and fewer late arrivals — outcomes they credited to fewer phones. At the same time, teachers say students frequently ask what time it is and seem unsure how to interpret the big and little hands. School personnel described instances of broken clocks and noted that some students have simply become accustomed to always checking their phones. The Education Department responded that telling time on both analog and digital clocks is taught in first and second grade, and that students are instructed on terms such as "o’clock," "half‑past" and "quarter‑to." Educators and researchers cited in coverage suggested the trend is part of a broader shift in which digital tools supplant older, practiced skills.
Why it matters
- Being able to read analog clocks affects students’ ability to self‑manage time without a phone.
- The gap may prompt schools to revisit elementary instruction or reinforce practice of traditional time‑telling.
- The issue highlights a broader tension between digital fluency and retention of analog skills.
- Visible failures (broken clocks, unfamiliarity) can interfere with routine school operations like class transitions.
Key facts
- New York’s statewide smartphone ban went into effect this fall and has been credited by some schools with improved focus and quicker hallway movement.
- Staff at Cardozo High School in Queens and other New York schools reported that some students cannot easily read analog clocks.
- Teachers say students often ask what time it is and sometimes need prompts about the big and little hands.
- The NYC Department of Education says students learn to read clocks in first and second grade and are taught terms like "o’clock," "half‑past" and "quarter‑to."
- Some students and teachers noted that wall clocks at some schools are broken or not set correctly.
- An Oklahoma study from 2017 found that only one in five children ages 6–12 could read clocks, a statistic cited to show the trend predates the ban.
- England began replacing classroom analog clocks with digital displays in 2018, an example of wider changes to clock use in schools.
- Educators report students’ digital skills remain strong; teachers sometimes rely on pupils for help with technology.
- Some teachers have begun incorporating time‑reading and calendar management into math and other lessons to reinforce the skill.
What to watch next
- Whether NYC schools add explicit refreshers on analog clock reading or alter early‑grade instruction — not confirmed in the source
- Plans to repair or replace broken wall clocks in affected schools to ensure consistent time displays — not confirmed in the source
- Any district guidance tying the smartphone ban to curriculum changes or teacher training on traditional time‑telling — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Analog clock: A clock that displays time with rotating hands on a numbered dial, typically including an hour hand (short) and a minute hand (long).
- Digital clock: A clock that shows time as numeric digits (for example, 3:15) rather than using hands on a dial.
- Smartphone ban: A school or district policy that restricts or prohibits students from using personal mobile devices during school hours.
- Time‑telling: The ability to read and interpret a clock display to determine the current time and manage intervals.
Reader FAQ
Did the smartphone ban cause students to forget how to read clocks?
Teachers say the ban revealed that some students struggle with analog clocks, but the reporting indicates the skill gap likely developed over time as phones reduced practice, not solely because of the ban.
Are students in NYC taught how to read analog clocks?
Yes. The NYC Department of Education says students learn time‑telling on analog and digital clocks in first and second grade and are taught terms like 'o’clock' and 'half‑past.'
Have schools formally removed analog clocks from classrooms?
Not confirmed in the source.
Do students still have strong digital skills despite this issue?
According to teachers cited in the reporting, students generally demonstrate strong digital abilities and sometimes help staff with technology.
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC. Listen Live Donate NEWS NYC phone ban reveals some students can't read clocks Getty Images By Jessica Gould Published Dec 26, 2025 at 10:01…
Sources
- NYC phone ban reveals some students can't read clocks
- Losing Track of Time – The Courant
- How New York's Phone Ban Saved High School
- New York school phone ban has made lunch loud again
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