Navigating New School Phone Policies

September 2025 | CSB of Middle Georgia

As schools across the country adopt stricter cell phone policies—ranging from “bell-to-bell” bans to locking devices in Yondr pouches—families are adjusting to a new normal. A number of schools in Georgia, rural and urban, have implemented phone-free policies and began using these secure pouches to limit phones, cell phones, smart watches, and ear bud access during school hours. While these rules may initially feel challenging for parents and students, they also create opportunities to reset screen habits and encourage independence.

Experts from the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health recommend the following strategies for families:

• Normalize time away from phones.
• Use built-in phone tools to minimize distractions.
• Teach non-digital coping skills for stress or boredom.
• Cut back on texting children during the school day.

These simple shifts not only support academic focus but also help children learn healthy boundaries with technology (Radesky & Moreno, 2025).

Reference
Radesky, J., & Moreno, M. (2025). Navigating new school phone policies. HealthyChildren.org.