Implementation Resources

Schools are eager to address the impact of cell phones and social media, but putting policies into practice can be challenging. In collaboration with Dr. Jill Walsh, a sociologist and researcher, we’ve developed checklists that offer actionable steps to help schools manage logistics, engage families, and ensure a smooth transition.

LOGISTICS

Schools will need to establish clear procedures and responsibilities to ensure the effective implementation of the new phone policy.

  • Who will own the new phone policy?
  • How/where will phones be collected?
  • Who will check to make sure the phones have been locked away/put into pouches?
  • How will you manage students who say they didn’t bring a phone to school?
    • Will they have to sign a form each day, etc?
  • What is the reporting mechanism for teachers who see someone with their phone?
  • What is the specific policy for repeat violations?
  • Who manages the follow up with students and/or families?
  • How will you handle students who leave for a part of the academic day and then return?
  • If you take/collect phones, how will you return them at the end of the day (i.e. everyone will want them back right at the end of the day?
  • What if students or families claim their phones were damaged or stolen while being held at school? How will you manage liability?
  • How will you build parent/guardian buy in around the policy and the consequences for violations?

ACTIVITIES

Schools will need to create opportunities for students to stay engaged during times when phones were previously used.

  • Identify potential pain points in the schedule (lunch, time between bus arrivals and classes starting, etc) .
  • Brainstorm activities that can be set up to help take the space of phone use during those pain points.
  • These should be low cost, easy to coordinate.
    • Ex: fort building, water colors, card games, spike ball.
  • Ask or assign adults to oversee this time.

Note: This will be challenging at first. Adults may be surprised that children need help socializing/playing and resist this. Others may worry about managing kids during this time; they might be louder, moving more, etc. This means less work in the long run (less bullying, fights, etc), but in the beginning it can feel harder–it is easier to ignore/be naive when kids are quietly staring at screens

STUDENTS

Schools will need to proactively support students who may struggle with adapting to new cell phone policies.​

  • Plan ahead and identify students who may struggle with the cell phone policies.
    • Some students will struggle to adhere to the policies for a variety of reasons: a few will be dealing with a genuine addiction to the technology, others use technology to manage challenges (social isolation/awkwardness; mental illness). 
  • Connect the right adults around these kids (counselors, advisors/homeroom teachers)–conversations and planning can go a long way to help.
    • Ideally kids using tech as a coping mechanism will have time to build up other coping skills before the tech is removed.
  • Think through what the consequences are for tech violations for this group: these students will struggle and might make mistakes, but it isn’t because they don’t care/don’t respect rules:
    1. What is a fair way to create consequences that don’t involve suspensions?
      • Note: Some schools work with struggling students to create individual cell phone plans
    2. How to involve parents/guardians to support this work?
    3. How do you do this in a way that doesn’t presume a lack of compliance?
  • Plan for accommodations to support students with disabilities or health concerns that require technology use during the school day.
    • Early communication with these families and students is critical.

FRONT OFFICE

Front offices will need to refine their ability to communicate with families/students now that students will not have direct access to do so during the academic day.

  • Ensure that phone numbers and emails are up to date for students.
  • Ensure that phone numbers are emails are up to date for parents/guardians.
  • Decide how to communicate updates/emergencies–test this system!
  • Set and monitor a space in the front office where students can access their phones–this space can be used to check texts, call home, etc. if necessary.
  • Clearly communicate how parents/guardians can reach their child during the school day. Provide options such as calling the front office or having students come to the office when needed.
    • Since many adults are used to immediate access to their children, establish a plan to manage multiple inquiries, set expectations, and handle any concerns proactively.