Show the courage to uphold the ban on cell phones in New York schools

It’s probably the best idea the city Department of Education ever had – banning phones in schools – and the bureaucrats didn’t even have the courage to stick with it.

Chancellor David Banks reversed course on Wednesday, saying “now is not the time for this” and that any ban would have to be examined first.

That means years of slogging while classrooms suffer.

A lockdown at Louis D. Brandeis High School on the Upper West Side last month was cited as the reason: The gun fears it sparked proved unfounded, but some parents were angry that they couldn’t immediately reach their children.

Which wouldn’t have changed anything. It is part of the responsibility of schools to keep children safe, and Brandeis teachers and administrators have responded correctly by providing them with safe spaces.

1,000 ringing cell phones would have made no difference and actually put students at greater risk.

And whatever advantages immediate access brings, the disadvantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Phones cause and fuel disciplinary problems. Study after study has shown that they damage young people’s mental health and increase bullying.

Most importantly, they distract from education. Kids scroll through TikTok, read their text messages, and play mobile games should learn.

The vast majority of teachers are in favor of keeping them out of the classroom.

The country’s top schools already ban phones. Refusal to do this in struggling schools will only make the poor situation worse.

Don’t kowtow to a small number of parents, Chancellor Banks. Stand up for the vast majority of us who want our children to stop talking on the phone and pay attention.