The Phone Dilemma: What Schools Are Really Saying About Student Device Restrictions

Sometimes the best conversations happen after the official session ends. That's exactly what happened when our VP of Marketing, Macey Belter, ran a session on school phone policies at the ATLIS conference. She mentioned that this would also be an upcoming webinar topic, and afterwards, Bradley Lands, Chief Technology Officer at The Langley School, approached her with an enthusiastic recommendation to include Dr. Devorah Heitner as a guest speaker.

It was one of those perfect conference moments – a casual conversation that sparked something bigger. Dr. Heitner, New York Times bestselling author of "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World," agreed to join our discussion, and what followed was an incredibly insightful webinar where educational leaders shared their real-world experiences with phone restrictions. What emerged wasn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather thoughtful strategies that schools are using to navigate this challenge.

Let's be honest – the phone situation in schools has gotten complicated. If you're an educator or parent, you've probably found yourself caught in debates about whether students should have access to their devices during school hours. The good news? You're not alone.

Why Schools Are Pulling Back on Phones

Schools aren't implementing phone restrictions to be difficult – there are compelling reasons driving these decisions. The biggest motivator? Creating space for genuine learning and connection. When phones are constantly buzzing and lighting up, it's tough for students to dive deep into their studies or have meaningful conversations with classmates.

There's also the mental health piece. Many educators notice that constant connectivity can actually increase student anxiety rather than decrease it. By creating phone-free zones, schools are enabling students to take a break from the digital world.

Different Schools, Different Approaches

Here's where things get interesting – there's no single "right" way to handle phone restrictions. Schools are getting creative with their approaches.

The Grade-by-Grade Strategy

Many schools take a graduated approach, recognizing that a fifth-grader's relationship with technology is very different from a high school senior's. Bradley Lands, Chief Technology Officer at Langley School, breaks it down: "We have a stowaway policy for 5th grade students and a phone collection system for middle school students."

The Collection Method

Some schools go with the straightforward approach – phones get collected at the start of the day and returned at dismissal. Yi Zheng, Director of Information Systems at Marymount School of New York, explains: "For 6th through 8th grade, we have a collection policy for phones and also smartwatches."

Enter the Yonder Pouch

For high school students, some schools use Yonder pouches – special cases that lock phones away during school hours while letting students keep them. "For 9th grade through 12th grade, we use the Yonder pouch," Yi explained.

The Big Worry: What About Emergencies?

Every parent's concern: "What if there's an emergency and I need to reach my child?" Schools haven't ignored this worry – they've developed communication strategies that don't rely on student devices.

Lisa Goff, Security and Risk Manager at Isidore Newman School, puts it perfectly: "Our policies are all centered around communicating with the faculty and staff because they're gonna be the leaders of whatever our elevated operating procedure is."

In a true emergency, you want trained adults managing the situation, not students coordinating on their phones. Schools are investing in direct communication tools that get information to parents quickly.

Bradley Lands highlights this: "Using a tool like Ruvna has been really successful for us because it goes directly to our parents' cell phones."

The Surprising Student Benefits

Here's something that might surprise you – many students are actually finding benefits in phone-free environments, even if they're initially resistant.

Ravi Persaud, Director of Academic Systems at Grace Church School, shares what he's hearing: "We've had reports of students saying they felt less anxious or were able to focus more."

Without phones as a social crutch, students are rediscovering face-to-face conversation. They're making eye contact during lunch, having spontaneous conversations between classes, and developing interpersonal skills that will serve them well beyond school.

The Key to Success: Empathy

A valuable insight from our webinar came from Dr. Devorah Heitner, a leading voice on digital well-being: "Empathy for everyone, doing hard things, making changes, potentially having to learn new skills to adapt."

Change is hard for everyone – students, parents, and educators alike. The schools most successful with phone restrictions approach the transition with understanding and patience. This means explaining the reasoning behind policies, listening to concerns, and being willing to adjust based on feedback.

It's About Balance, Not Bans

As we look at trends across the country, this isn't really about being anti-technology. It's about helping students develop a healthier relationship with their devices. The most successful approaches recognize technology as a powerful tool while acknowledging that constant connectivity isn't always beneficial for learning and development.

What This Means for Your School

If your school is considering phone restrictions, start with your "why" – be clear about what you're hoping to achieve. Engage your community in honest conversations about challenges and benefits. Be prepared for initial resistance, but also be open to the positive changes many schools are experiencing.

Remember, there's no perfect policy. The key is finding an approach that aligns with your community's values and supports your educational goals. Most importantly, approach this change with empathy and patience.

The phone question in schools isn't going away, but with thoughtful policies and open communication, schools are finding ways to help students thrive in both digital and physical worlds.

Want to Hear More?

If you found these insights helpful, you can watch the full recording of our webinar to dive deeper into these strategies and hear more from our panel of educational experts. Watch the full webinar recording here to get the complete picture of how schools are approaching this challenge.