Phone Free Schools
Resources to support advocacy and learning regarding Phone Free Schools initiatives and policy at the local level.
After Babel: The Case for Phone Free Schools
Jonathan Haidt argues children deserve phone-free schools in order to learn, cultivate deep friendships, and develop into mentally healthy young adults.
View resourceNational Association of School Resource Officers Statement: Phone-free Schools
The National Association of School Resource Officers statement: Students are Safer Without Cell Phones during School Emergencies.
View resourceTeacher Perspective: My School Banned Phones for the Year. Here's What Happened.
Published in After Babel. Gilbert Schuerch, a veteran high school teacher in Harlem, NYC, writes about the transformation in his school after going phone-free.
View resourceThe Digital Delusion Substack
Jared Cooney Horvath (PhD, MEd) is a neuroscientist, educator, best-selling author, and expert in the field of human learning.
View resourceTODAY Show: Ohio Phone-Free School (without Yondr pouches)
Today features Dunbar HS in Dayton Ohio, where they have a bell-to-bell phone policy using yellow padded mailing envelopes.
View resourceWeeds in the garden: Why cell phones must go for Learning to Grow
From Stan Winborne and SFCxUS Advisory Board Member Karl Johnson
View resourcePhone-Free Schools Database
Database of schools and districts that have adopted phone-free school policies. To be included on the list, a school must adopt a policy in which phones are not to be…
View resourceAdministrators’ Voices: Phone-Free Schools
3 MA administrators talk about successful phone-free schools’ policies. 2 of the administrators have phone collection systems that don’t rely on pouches, while the 3rd uses Yondr pouches.
View resourceBrain Drain Study (2017) - Video from Edutopia
A 2-minute video explaining the Brain Drain Study. Helpful in arguing for inaccessible phone storage during school day.
View resourceComfortably Uncomfortable: Why Smartphones and Watches Don't Belong in Schools
The Phone Free Schools Movement leaders with Dr. Allie Baker, a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health discussing phone-free schools.
View resourceDisconnected 2024 - Panel Discussion: Cell Phones in Schools (NY Union)
Schoharie Superintendent David Blanchard, Natalie McKay (teacher), & Jax Sherer (student); Bethlehem Superintendent Jody Monroe, David Rounds (teacher), & Lauren Dudgeon (student); NYC: First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg, UFT President…
View resourceJared Cooney Horvath: Why Cell Phone BANS in School Work (and Restrictive Policies Fail)
In this video, Jared dives into the compelling research on cell phone policies in schools: why restrictions fail while complete bans succeed.
View resourcePhone Free Policy Saves One City School (Brockton MA High School and Fairplay Action Network Webinar)
Discussion with Principal McCaskill, Student Cristal Welch, and faculty Sarah Watt from Brockton High School in MA. Facilitated by Jean Rogers and David Monahan, Fairplay.
View resourcePhone Free Schools on a Budget Webinar (short version)
This is a 15-minute excerpt of the larger webinar by Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project entitled Phone Free Schools on a Budget.
View resourcePhone 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.
View resourcePhone-Free Schools on a Budget Webinar (full Version)
Phone-Free Schools on a Budget from the The Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project: Alexa Arnold from TAG, VT Legislator Angela Arsenault, VT dean of students Blake Fabrikant and Ohio principal Katrina…
View resourceTeacher Voices: Phone-free school policy improves student engagement and well-being (Harwood, VT)
Staff at Harwood Union Middle and High School share why a bell-t0-bell phone policy has been successful and how it’s transformed their school.
View resourceTODAY Show: Ohio Phone-Free School (without Yondr pouches)
Today features Dunbar HS in Dayton Ohio, where they have a bell-to-bell phone policy using yellow padded mailing envelopes.
View resourceYouth Voices: Vermont Phone and Social Media-Free Schools
Thetford Academy students made this excellent video about their experiences with phone-free schools to encourage the state legislature to pass the Phone and Social Media-Free Schools Bill for all students.…
View resourceLow Cost Alternative Storage Options (One-pager)
A glance at some low-cost phone storage alternatives to Yondr pouches.
View resourceGetting Community Buy-in For Phone Free Schools
From the Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project.
View resourceNational Association of School Resource Officers - Letter in support of Phone-Free Schools
NASRO Letter of Support for Bell-to-Bell Phone Free Policies without emergency exceptions.
View resourcePhones in Focus National Research Survey Link
Phones in Focus is a national research study led by UPenn Professor Angela Duckworth - gives educators an opportunity to inform and improve school cell phone policies and implementation
View resourceFairplay for Kids
For over 25 years, Fairplay has been the leading voice fighting to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech.
View resourceFilm: Screenagers
This film illustrates how the digital age has led to rapid increases in levels of mental health challenges among youth. This film is an option for public screenings to raise…
View resourcePhone-Free Schools Movement
The Phone-Free Schools Movement has long been advocating for bell-to-bell phone-free school policies. Ambassador and Administrator toolkits have supported implementation country-wide.
View resourceScreen Sense
Screen Sense advocates for healthy tech use among young people through its resources and recommendations to families and schools.
View resourceThe Phone Free Schools Movement
Information about phone-free schools, advocacy and toolkits for advocates and administrators.
View resourceAdministrators’ Voices: Phone-Free Schools
3 MA administrators talk about successful phone-free schools’ policies. 2 of the administrators have phone collection systems that don’t rely on pouches, while the 3rd uses Yondr pouches.
View resourceLow Cost Alternative Storage Options (One-pager)
A glance at some low-cost phone storage alternatives to Yondr pouches.
View resourcePhone Free Schools on a Budget Webinar (short version)
This is a 15-minute excerpt of the larger webinar by Distraction-Free Schools Policy Project entitled Phone Free Schools on a Budget.
View resourceTODAY Show: Ohio Phone-Free School (without Yondr pouches)
Today features Dunbar HS in Dayton Ohio, where they have a bell-to-bell phone policy using yellow padded mailing envelopes.
View resourceHow One School’s Bold Move to Lock Away Phones Transformed Learning (Screenagers Podcast)
Dr. Delaney interviews Principal Deanna Albert to explore how implementing ‘Away for the Day’ policies transformed learning and social interactions at Hardin HS.
View resourceScrolling 2 Death Podcast: Phone Free Schools with Kim Whitman
Kim, SFCxUS co-lead, 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.
View resourceWe Need To Support School Bans On Phones (Even If Your Anxiety Won’t) - Podcast
Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry
View resourceWhy School Safety Experts Want Phone Bans - Podcast
From Screenagers Podcast - Parenting in the Screen Age with Dr. Delaney Ruston
View resourcePublic Comment: Phone-Free Schools, ESL Teacher
ESL teacher discusses how phones in schools impede on learning + social development for students with English as a second language.
View resourcePublic Comment: Teacher in favor of Phone Free Schools
In this powerful testimony former Massachusetts math teacher urges the School Committee to adopt a bell-to-bell phone-free policy. (3 mins)
View resourceTestimony from Laura Marquez-Garrett - Phone + Social Media Schools in VT
Attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett testifies in the Vermont House in favor of Phone and Social Media Free Schools legislation.
View resourceTestimony: Emily Brownlee at KS State Board of Education - EdTech + Phone-Free Schools
Powerfully clever testimony addressing phones and EdTech/devices in school. From Emily Brownlee before KS State Board of Ed. on June 10, 2025 (at minute 34:42)
View resourceBrain Drain: The Mere Presence of One’s Own Smartphone Reduces Available Cognitive Capacity
Helpful in arguing for inaccessible storage of phones during the school day.
View resourceJAMA Pediatrics: Phone-Free Schools to Protect Adolescents
An Abstract from JAMA Pediatrics on phone-free schools.
View resourcePhone-Free Schools State Report Card
A vital resource for lawmakers and advocates to see how their state ranks regarding Phone-free schools legislation.
View resourceLow Cost Alternative Storage Options (One-pager)
A glance at some low-cost phone storage alternatives to Yondr pouches.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Administrator Toolkit
Link to request from Phone Free Schools Movement website.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Ambassador Toolkit
Link to request the toolkit from the Phone Free Schools Movement site.
View resourceMA 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 from MA Attorney General, Andrea Campbell
View resourceNew York State United Teachers: Bell-To-Bell Local President Toolkit
NY State United Teachers toolkit for Union Presidents to help navigate the necessary next steps for implementation of a bell-to-bell phone policy.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Administrator Toolkit
Link to request from Phone Free Schools Movement website.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Administrator Toolkit
A toolkit for school administrators to implement best practices for bell-to-bell phone-free schools policies.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Ambassador Toolkit
Link to request the toolkit from the Phone Free Schools Movement site.
View resourcePhone Free Schools Movement - Ambassador Toolkit
Toolkit for advocates working to implement best practice bell-to-bell phone-free school policies.
View resourceScreenagers Away for The Day Toolkit
Resources for Principals/Administrators, Teachers/Counselors, Parents/Guardians, and Students
View resourceScreenStrong Phone Free Schools Toolkit
Link to request download from ScreenStrong website.
View resource