How Can Teachers and Parents Help Students Manage Cellphone Use in Schools? Friday Institute Director of Digital Learning Emma Braaten Shares Advice

Cellphones in classrooms have become a hot topic among parents, students and educators. 

Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Director of Digital Learning Emma Braaten shares strategies for educators and parents about how to help students manage cellphone use during school. 

How Can Educators Manage Cellphone Use in Their Classroom?

• Explain the reason behind the request to put phones away: Telling students that they need to put their phones away so the class can focus on a discussion without distractions can provide context to the rules and help them understand the importance of keeping their phones away when it’s time to learn. “When students understand the reason why and the benefits behind a classroom rule, they may be more likely to have buy-in when they understand the rationale,” Braaten said.  
• Use visual cues to indicate when phones are and are not allowed: To remind students when phones need to be out of sight and when they are allowed to be out, Braaten said some teachers use red and green signals or lights to signify when phone use is acceptable, or have “tech zones” in the room where students who are using devices can sit. 
• Find a compromise to letting students keep their phone while minimizing distractions: Braaten noted that some schools have provided students with Yondr pouches. Students lock their phones in these pouches, making them inaccessible during academic time, but the pouch and phone are able to remain in the students’ possession and can be unlocked in the event of an emergency if needed.

How Can Adults Help Students Understand How to Use Cellphones Responsibly in School?

• Model healthy cellphone habits: Adults can set an example by modeling appropriate times and settings to put their phones away, and by avoiding texting their children during the school day. “It’s important that adults model healthy phone habits and have conversations with their children to help them understand context-appropriate behavior,” Braaten said. “For example, modeling that when you’re at dinner, having conversations or doing something together as a family or with friends, that we want to be present and focused on what is happening face-to-face.” 
• Have conversations about responsible cellphone use: When teachers or school districts share their policies for cellphone use at the beginning of each year, Braaten said it’s a good time for parents and caregivers to have a conversation about what responsible phone use looks like at school, what they consider to be inappropriate behavior when using cellphones and what consequences students should face at home when they violate their school’s cellphone rules. 
• Monitor what children do on their phones: Braaten recommends using apps to monitor screen time, and talking to children about how much time they spend on their phones on various days and why. She also recommends staying aware of what sites and apps their children are using, what content they are sharing online and who they are using their phone to talk and interact with. “These real-life conversations help children learn to navigate, communicate respectfully, and report or share when they have concerns,” she said.