The Growing Trend of School Phone Bans in LA: A Move Towards Increased Connection and Creativity
As students across Los Angeles return to school this year, a growing number of schools are implementing a ban on cellphones during the school day. One notable example is Animo Pat Brown Charter High School, where students are required to place their phones in locked pouches every morning, keeping them out of reach until the school day ends. This bold move is part of a broader effort to combat what many educators and parents are calling “cellphone addiction” — a phenomenon that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Why Schools Are Banning Phones
Principal Brian Thomas Reed of Animo Pat Brown High explains that the decision to ban phones was driven by the disruptive effects of constant cellphone use. Teachers had been spending significant time policing phone use in the classroom, diverting attention away from teaching and learning. “Since the pandemic, when students came back, their relationships with phones had fundamentally changed,” Reed noted. The distraction of social media, gaming, and messaging apps during class time was making it difficult for students to focus, interact with each other, or build meaningful connections.
The solution? Implementing Yondr pouches — small, locked cases designed to hold students’ phones securely. With this system, students’ phones are safely stored in the pouch during school hours and unlocked only when they exit campus at the end of the day. This system has been a game-changer for students, who are now less distracted and more engaged in face-to-face interactions.
Positive Impact on Student Life
Although the initial reaction from students was skeptical, many have since reported positive changes. Junior Deily Monterroso shared that she was initially disappointed about the phone ban, but it ended up benefiting her social life and academics. “Now that we don’t have the phones, I interact with others more,” she said, noting that her grades have also improved. Similarly, senior C.J. Johnson said the ban has led to more in-person conversations and even improved his friendships. “We realized we love to talk… and have a lot of gossip to share,” Johnson reflected. This shift has had a profound impact on the school community, creating a more connected and engaged environment for students.
National Movement Towards Phone Bans
Animo Pat Brown is not alone in this approach. Across the U.S., many schools are turning to Yondr and similar programs to curb distractions in the classroom. A recent Pew Research Study found that 72% of U.S. high school teachers believe cellphones are a major problem in education. Schools in states like California are increasingly embracing phone bans as a way to improve student focus, mental well-being, and academic performance.
Graham Dugoni, the founder of Yondr, notes that this trend is about encouraging a more mindful relationship with technology. Dugoni, who still uses a flip phone himself, emphasizes that the goal is not to eliminate technology but to foster a healthier balance.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Principal Reed is particularly passionate about the long-term impact of phone bans. He believes that, in the future, society will look back at the use of phones in schools much like we now view smoking on airplanes — as a practice that, with hindsight, seems unhealthy and counterproductive. With the growing success of phone bans at schools like Animo Pat Brown, the trend may continue to spread across the country, potentially changing how schools manage technology for years to come.
To read the full article, visit Spectrum News.
