Schools across the United States are adopting a new policy that requires students to lock their cell phones in special pouches during the school day. Students place their phones in magnetically sealed pouches, such as those made by Yondr, when entering school.
Phones can only be unlocked at designated stations at the end of the day. The policy aims to improve focus, classroom engagement, and student mental health.
Districts in at least 41 states have spent $2.5 million on the pouches, according to Govspend data. Schools including Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle and McManus Middle School in Linden, New Jersey, report increased student interaction and fewer disruptions.
Teachers say the pouches reduce cyberbullying and the time spent managing phone-related issues. The principal at Hamilton said classroom engagement increased by 83% and bullying dropped significantly.
Some students and parents oppose the policy. Students at Linden High School started a petition with nearly 640 signatures, calling the pouches restrictive. Critics say phones are important for emergencies or self-regulation. Some students have tried to bypass the pouches using dummy phones.
Schools allow parents to contact the main office in emergencies and provide phones in classrooms for 911 calls. Students with medical needs, such as diabetes, can use non-locking pouches to monitor devices.
The policy has sparked debate on social media. Some users praise it for helping students focus, while others call it “ridiculous and dangerous.” As more schools adopt the policy, its effect on learning and student experience continues to be studied.
