Phone Free Schools

Phone Free Schools Database

We created a database of schools, districts and states that have adopted phone-free school policies. To be included on the list, a school must adopt a policy in which phones…

Abbreviated Version: Phone Free Schools on a Budget Webinar

This is a 15-minute excerpt of the larger webinar by Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project titled Phone Free Schools on a Budget.

Comfortably Uncomfortable: Why Smartphones and Watches Don't Belong in Schools

The Phone Free Schools Movement leaders have a powerful conversation with Dr. Allie Baker, a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health. Dr. Baker shares her…

Edutopia short video about 2017 Brain Drain Study

FULL Video (40m) Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project Webinar: Phone Free Schools on a Budget

40 minute version

Harwood Schools (Vermont) Faculty: Phone-free school policy improves student engagement and well-being

For the 2024-25 school year, Harwood Union Middle and High School adopted a policy where students can't access their cell phones or other personal devices (ex. AirPods) from the start…

Jared Cooney Horvath on Why Cell Phone BANS in School Work (and Restrictive Policies Fail)

Are restrictive cell phone policies in schools enough? The science says NO! In this video, Jared dives into the surprising research on cell phone policies in schools. Research: School phone…

NYSUT Disconnected 2024 - Panel Discussion: Cell Phones in Schools

Leaders in the field and how they are implementing change in NY schools. PANEL Schoharie Superintendent David Blanchard, Natalie McKay (teacher), & Jax Sherer (student) Bethlehem Superintendent Jody Monroe, David…

Phone Free Policy Saves One City School (Brockton MA High School and Fairplay Action Network Webinar)

A great discussion with Principal McCaskill, Student Cristal Welch, and faculty Sarah Watt from Brockton High School. Facilitated by Jean Rogers and David Monahan, Fairplay.

Phone Free Schools Policies Debate on CNBC

Emily Boddy on CNBC’s Squawkbox with Andrew Ross Sorkin, addressing common concerns and arguing for bell to bell phone free schools policies.

TODAY Show: Ohio school district bans cellphones — and sees positive results

School leaders at the Dayton public school district decided to ban cellphones from all middle and high school campuses and as the school year comes to a close, they’re already…

Low Cost Alternative Storage Options One-Pager

DFSPP - Getting Community Buy-in For Phone Free Schools

Support Letter from National Association of School Resource Officers

NASRO Letter of Support for Bell-to-Bell Phone Free Policies without emergency exceptions.

Phones in Focus National Research Survey Link

Phones in Focus is a national research study led by University of Pennsylvania Professor Angela Duckworth and other researchers. Our aim is to give educators an opportunity to inform and…

Screen Sense

Screen Sense advocates for healthy tech use among young people through its resources and recommendations to families and schools.

Screenagers

The impact of this digital age has led to rapid increases in levels of mental health challenges among youth. Through their movies, resources and initiatives, they aim to play our…

The Phone Free Schools Movement

Information about phone-free schools, advocacy and toolkits for advocates and administrators.

Family norms podcast

Episode on creating healthy family norms.

How One School’s Bold Move to Lock Away Phones Transformed Learning

Screenagers: Parenting in the Screen Age Podcast Dr. Delaney interviews Principal Deanna Albert to explore how implementing ‘Away for the Day’ policies transformed both learning and social interactions at Hardin…

Scrolling 2 Death Podcast: Phone Free Schools with Kim Whitman

Kim and Nicki talk about the reasons behind the need for a bell-to-bell phone policy, the pushback and touch on school-issued device use.

We Need To Support School Bans On Phones (Even If Your Anxiety Won’t)

Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry                                      

Why School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans

From Screenagers Podcast - Parenting in the Screen Age with Dr. Delaney Ruston  

Board of Education (Special Meeting - Town Hall) 12/4/2025

Fairfield, CT Board of Education (Special Meeting - Town Hall) 12/4/2025 SFCxUS member testimony starts at 1:34:00

Kansas State Board of Ed - Testimony

Kansas State Board of Education Meeting | August 12, 2025 Testimony by SFCxUS co-founder Kim Whitman

Kansas State Board of Education Meeting | Emily Brownlee Testimony

Kansas State Board of Education Meeting | June 10, 2025 Emily Brownlee Testimony

Northampton MA Testimony from Former Teacher

Public Comment from ESL Teacher

Vermont House Committee on Education - Testimony from Laura Marquez-Garrett

Attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett testifies in the Vermont House in favor of Phone and Social Media Free Schools legislation.

Youth Voices for the Vermont Phone and Social Media-Free Schools Bill (H.54 / S.21)

Thetford Academy students share how the move to a phone-free school has been overwhelmingly positive. They want legislators to pass H.54 / S.21 because all students in VT deserve this…

Brain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity

JAMA Pediatrics: Phone-Free Schools to Protect Adolescents

Link to abstract.

Low Cost Alternative Storage Options One-Pager

MA Attorney General Office Toolkit: Cell Phones and Social Media in Schools

Cell Phones and Social Media in Schools A Toolkit for School Leaders and Communities OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREA JOY CAMPBEL

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Bell-To-Bell Local Presidents Toolkit

Toolkit developed by NYSUT as a resource for local presidents.  NYSUT developed this toolkit with background information, requirements, success stories and general guidance that will help administrators navigate the necessary…

Phone Free Schools Administrator Toolkit

Link to request from Phone Free Schools Movement website.

Phone Free Schools Movement - Administrator Toolkit

A toolkit for school administrators to implement best practices for bell-to-bell phone-free schools policies.

Phone Free Schools Movement - Ambassador Toolkit

Toolkit for advocates working to implement best practice bell-to-bell phone-free school policies.

Phone Free Schools Movement Ambassador Toolkit

Link to request the toolkit from the Phone Free Schools Movement site.

Screenagers Away for The Day Toolkit

Resources for Principals/Administrators, Teachers/Counselors, Parents/Guardians, and Students

ScreenStrong Phone Free Schools Toolkit

Link to request download from ScreenStrong website.