Connecticut
Connecticut Board of Education recommends cell phone restrictions in public schools
Ericka Henriquez
As public school students return to school in New Haven, they will be met with some new rules around their cell phone use.
On Aug. 21, the Connecticut State Board of Education approved a new recommendation for Connecticut public schools: cell phones should not be used at all during the school day of elementary and middle school students, while cell phone use in high schools should be limited.
However, as students begin to get used to the new normal in schools, the opinions of students, educators, parents and medical professionals highlight just how complex reactions are to the cell phone ban.
“I think to me as a parent and an educator, the recommendation sounds like it is aligned developmentally and it encourages social interaction, while also giving some flexibility at older ages,” Mira Debs GRD ’16, lecturer in the sociology department and director of undergraduate studies of the Education Studies Program, said. “However, I can’t speak for all parents or students, for there are various experiences that provide a different perspective to this recommendation.”
The scientific basis for the cellphone ban recommendation
According to Xi Chen, professor of health policy at the School of Public Health, cell phones have led to reduced cognitive capacity, as students are now more likely to just use a readily available information source without relying on their cognitive abilities. Cell phones have also led to sleep deprivation as blue light from phones disrupts the normal circadian cycle, and social media has its litany of mental health consequences, from intense feelings of isolation and stress to self-harm.
However, when it comes to students, the dangers of cell phones listed above are only exacerbated and can impair the learning experience in the classroom. And even if they are not actively using it but can see their phone, they can still get distracted, according to Ada Fenick, professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine.
“So if you’re feeling like you’re constantly having to look at your phone, your attention span for your schoolwork is definitely lowered because you’re constantly going back to check,” Fenick told the News.
Cell phones have also been shown to increase cyberbullying in school, which is associated with feelings of depression and self-harm, according to Fenick. This is especially true when cyberbullying can now be done at a distance by anyone and posts on social media can be permanent.
Additionally, outside the classroom, cell phones have been shown to reduce the social-emotional skills of students. According to Chen, students are more likely to develop social isolation as they spend more time on the screen and do not learn how to talk to their peers, which has a variety of negative effects.
“We know that face-to-face communication between children is best because human society is built on face-to-face interaction,” Chen said. “But cell phones and online communication crowd out their valuable time to engage with their peer students. There’s even some evidence that brain development can be affected as the important skills of communication and creativity aren’t engaged.”
According to Debs, the COVID-19 pandemic provided the opportunity for students to have unlimited access to their cell phones because they were home all the time. Coming back to school made the issues of cell phones in the classroom that much clearer to educators.
Bullying, lack of communication skills and reduced attention span are not anything new in schools, but cell phones exacerbate these issues. According to some teachers, the lack of cell phones has created great changes in the classroom.
“The reports that have come out from schools that have implemented a ban is that it makes teachers’ work so much easier. They feel like they have more positive interactions with students, creating a very positive impact on the school climate overall,” Debs told the News.
Community reactions for and against phone restrictions
Some New Haven students, however, are skeptical about how cell phone restrictions would be effectively implemented and wonder how restrictions could still prioritize students’ rights.
Jonaily Colón, a junior at New Haven’s High School in the Community, or HSC, serves as a student representative on the New Haven Board of Education. She says she is comfortable with cell phones being restricted, agreeing they can stifle engagement in the classroom, but feels students should be able to access them when they need to, especially to communicate with family or manage emergency situations.
“In case of a Code Red or anything like that, say we have our phone in a Yondr pouch, you can’t text anyone,” she said.
In August, the New Haven Independent reported that Barnard Environmental Magnet School and Troup School are spearheading the use of Yondr pouches, magnetic lockboxes that prevent cell phone usage inside a designated “phone-free space.”
Colón hasn’t yet witnessed any effort to restrict cell phone use in HSC, but her peers have heard about the Yondr pouches from students at other schools. Colón understands that a teacher’s reprimand is often not enough to discourage students from using phones, but her peers have objections to forcible restriction. She imagines that an enforced cell phone regulation would provoke major complaints about students’ right to their own property.
“A lot of people are like, ‘They’re not taking my phone away from me,’” Colón recalled. “‘I bought it and I’m going to use it.’”
According to Seth Zimmerman, a member of the Connecticut Board of Education and professor at the School of Management, the issue of parent-student communication during school is a salient one.
He believes that as schools and districts implement cell phone restrictions, they also have a role to play in addressing parents’ concerns about how to reach their children.
“District leaders who have successfully implemented these policies talk about how it was important to be sure that parents knew how to get in touch with their kids without calling or texting their cell phones, usually by calling the school office,” Zimmerman wrote in an email to the News. “It’s of course also important for schools to make sure they have procedures in place that work. When a parent calls the school office, someone has to pick up the phone.”
Cell phone ban may miss bigger issues
Other New Haven Public Schools students believe that cell phone usage is just one of a host of problems that interfere with student engagement.
John Carlos Musser, a senior at Wilbur Cross High School and another student representative on the New Haven Board of Education, explained that infrastructure, mental health and staffing issues are part of the reason students are so inclined to turn to distractions. He thinks policymakers should focus on addressing those issues while they discourage cell phone use.
According to Musser, the library and music wing at Wilbur Cross have been shut down due to mold, and the ceiling of a classroom caved in during his sophomore year. Over the course of his first three years of high school, six of his teachers have gone on leave or formally left the school, leaving substitute teachers to lead classrooms.
“I feel like there’s a constant theme where we put a lot of blame on students,” Musser said. “We blame students for lack of engagement by going on their phones. But I think there’s other things institutionally that need to be faced and money needs to be spent on, rather than pouches.”
Musser agreed that a cell phone ban would be appropriate for elementary and middle school students, but highlighted the ways technology can also benefit students’ learning, especially in high school settings.
He noted that, because of dwindling support from the COVID-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, some students are losing access to school-provided computers.
“The way our assignments are given now, a lot of it is dependent on technology,” Musser said. “And for some kids, the only form of technology they have, because COVID relief money is no longer coming around and they’re not receiving computers, is their phone.”
Connecticut is among 14 states that have recommended or enforced cell phone bans in their public schools.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Lucky for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
01-02-28-30-43, Lucky Ball: 07
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
12-13-16-20-32
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Day: 5-3-3, WB: 7
Night: 1-8-1, WB: 9
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Day: 3-5-9-4, WB: 4
Night: 7-0-2-6, WB: 4
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — The United States military carried out “large scale” strike inside Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, according to President Donald Trump.
Leaders in Connecticut are responding to the military action.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) shared the following statement.
“If we’re starting another endless war, with no clear national security strategy or need, count me out. Maduro is a cruel criminal dictator, but President Trump has never sought approval from Congress for war as the Constitution requires – and our military deserves. We’ve seen several Administrations lead us into conflicts without objectives or timelines and with disastrous consequences. President Trump has also articulated no clear end game to prevent further chaos, violence, and bloodshed in Venezuela. The American people deserve—and Congress should demand—facts and clarity.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called the strike the start of an “illegal war” between the U.S. and Venezuela.
“President Trump thinks he is above the law. He steals from taxpayers. He thumbs his nose at the law. And now, he is starting an illegal war with Venezuela that Americans didn’t ask for and has nothing to do with our security. How does going to war in South America help regular Americans who are struggling? How does this do anything about drugs entering the U.S. when Venezuela produces no fentanyl? What is the actual security threat to the United States? And what happens next in Venezuela? He cannot answer these questions – and that’s why there was no briefing to Congress to explain this action, and no briefing scheduled. And Maduro’s illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable. This is about satisfying Trump’s vanity, making good on the long standing neocon grudge against Maduro, enriching Trump’s oil industry backers, and distracting voters from Epstein and rising costs.”
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the Trump administration acted without congressional approval.
“Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization, nor have I heard a strategy for the day after and how we will prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos. Secretary Rubio repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. The Administration must immediately brief Congress on its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”
State Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding (R-Conn.) shared that he hopes Maduro is brought to justice, calling him an “integral culprit” in the “narcotic ring” in the United States.
“President Maduro has been an integral culprit in fostering the narcotic ring in our country which has killed far too many Americans. I hope he is brought to justice and we can continue to address the substance abuse crisis that our state and country continues to face.
The Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party Ben Proto shared the following statement.
“President Trump promised to stop the flow of drugs into the US that have been killing millions of Americans. Nicolas Maduro, who declared himself President, while getting about 30% of the vote in the last so called free election in Venezuela, was given multiple warnings to stop the flow of drugs from his country into America, was offered help by the Trump administration in stopping the flow, but he continued to, not only allow the flow of drugs, but condone it and profit from it. Presidents have long used their constitutional authority to intervene in other countries when those countries posed a danger to America and Americans. President Trump did just that. Unfortunately Democrats, particularly Jim Himes, Chris Murphy and Dick Blumenthal are more interested in playing politics than in protecting Americans. Nearly 1,000 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses in 2024 and we have seen an increase in overdoses in 2025. If only Democrats cared as much about Americans as they do about a drug lord running another country who profits from the death of Americans.“
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) demanded that Congress must be briefed before further action.
“As information about U.S military strikes in Venezuela unfold, I have more questions than answers. Nicolas Maduro is a brutal dictator who caused so much harm to his people. However, as Americans we must seriously weigh the consequences of attacking a sovereign nation and committing to “run Venezuela.” Congress must be briefed immediately, before this situation continues to escalate. I will comment further as credible information becomes available to Members of Congress.“
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) shared the following statement, claiming that there could be “severe repercussions for American interests.”
“President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change operation in Venezuela by using military force to capture Nicolas Maduro and declaring, ‘we will run the country’, threatens global order and is a fundamental violation of the Constitution, which gives Congress the responsibility of authorizing major military actions that could have severe repercussions for American interests.
“America’s unprecedented global strength and prosperity was built on this principle of restraining military force through democratic bodies like Congress. President Trump has shredded this principle, and along with it has destroyed American credibility and emboldened our adversaries to act with similar aggression. This new foreign policy that President Trump and his advisors have used to justify this act of war, including invoking the 200-year-old Monroe Doctrine as a justification for America to do whatever it pleases in the Western Hemisphere, is the exact same reasoning that China would use to justify invading Taiwan, and which Russia has used to assault Ukraine.
“President Trump has also now threatened Cuba with similar language, and is preparing a giant corrupt giveaway to oil companies by claiming that the United States will acquire Venezuela’s oil. This is corruption of the highest order. Maduro was an authoritarian who stayed in power despite the will of the people, but that does not justify the United States in starting a war to benefit some of the world’s wealthiest corporations.
“President Trump did all of this without the consent of Congress, and without providing any details or day-after plans. The full consequences of this act of war will not be known for some time, and they may require putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela, as the President has said he was prepared to do. The American people do not want to be dragged into another endless conflict distracting from the rising cost of living and the affordability crisis. Whatever happens next, the responsibility will be squarely with President Trump and his contempt for the Constitution and for Congress.”
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) echoed the statements of his fellow Democrats.
“This is yet another authoritarian power grab by Donald Trump. As he indicated in his address, it’s clear it’s about the oil!!! And securing that oil!!! And securing it with the use of our brave men and women in the United States military!!! The Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war for a reason. It’s Congress’s responsibility to decide whether the nation goes to war or not! That’s why I’m joining with others in calling on the President to immediately brief Congress—and for Congress to assert its authority under the Constitution and the War Powers Act—to let this President know he does not have the authority to unilaterally commit our country to yet another endless war.“
This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.
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