The statewide ban is a new thing, but phones were already banned when I went to school decades ago, along with gameboys, MP3 players, and all other electronics except a calculator. If you had it out in class, it would get taken away.

That kids were ever allowed smartphones to begin with is a regression from the status quo we had not long ago.

It sounds to me like the distinction here is that the ban in NY specifies the entire school day, as opposed to just during class.