This topic has gained significant national attention, particularly following the tragic case in Cheshire where transgender student Brianna Ghey was sadly murdered by two of her school peers. Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, has spoken openly about the pressures her daughter faced as a teenager navigating social media and has since become a powerful advocate for reducing smartphone use among young people. She has said, “Phones and social media consumed her world — I believe they amplified her struggles and isolated her from real human connection.”

Since Brianna’s death, Esther has campaigned tirelessly alongside Yondr, her local MP, and the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, who recently announced £150,000 in funding to help schools in the area adopt phone-free policies using Yondr’s technology.

The impact of such initiatives is becoming increasingly clear. Schools that have implemented lockable phone pouches or phone-free policies report a wide range of positive outcomes:

·                A 60% reduction in bullying and social conflicts linked to social media (Childnet International, 2024)

·                Improved classroom engagement, with teachers gaining up to 30 minutes of extra learning time per day (UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, 2023)

·                Noticeable improvements in student wellbeing and peer relationships, with 82% of schools saying students are “more present” and “socially connected” during the school day (Yondr Case Study Data, 2024)

While many schools claim to be “smartphone-free” by policy, the reality is that teachers still spend valuable time policing phone use, catching students, confiscating devices, and managing fallout with parents. This creates additional workload and stress, with the NASUWT Teachers’ Union reporting that over 70% of teachers say mobile phones are a daily source of classroom disruption.

The Yondr lockable pouch addresses this challenge effectively: it allows students to retain responsibility for their phones while ensuring devices are inaccessible during school hours. This removes the burden on staff to store or confiscate devices and avoids liability for damage or loss. Schools that previously collected phones manually have reported cracked screens and missing devices, which often led to disputes and those types of issues are eliminated entirely with a student-managed system.

It’s fair to say that once momentum builds, schools that were initially hesitant are likely to follow. Increasingly, schools are proudly advertising that they are “Smartphone-Free with Lockable Pouches” in their prospectuses and marketing materials. Some have even gone a step further, making the pouch a compulsory uniform item, reinforcing that this is part of their identity as a school community.

Critics sometimes argue that students may find ways around the system, for example, using a strong magnet to open the pouch. In practice, this remains extremely rare. The key insight from schools that have gone phone-free is that the negative impact of smartphones is magnified when most students are online, not when a small minority attempt to bypass the system.

Interestingly, many students themselves have expressed relief at being disconnected during the day. According to Common Sense Media (2023), the average teenager receives between 237 and 283 notifications per day, with around 40% of those arriving during school hours. A Digital Wellness Lab (Boston Children’s Hospital, 2024) survey found that 68% of students felt “addicted” to checking notifications, while 71% said they felt “happier and more focused” when their phones were locked away.

As one Year 10 student shared after their school introduced Yondr:

“It’s like a weight off my shoulders, I don’t feel like I have to check my phone all the time just to keep up.”

These experiences reinforce what educators across the UK are seeing firsthand; smartphone-free schools aren’t about restriction – they are about liberation. By helping students disconnect, we’re giving them back focus, human connection, and peace of mind.

The key way we can help schools make this transition successfully is by offering a consultation with an expert who has deployed these solutions across many institutions. While the hardware itself is simple, the implementation strategy is where success lies. We can provide tailored guidance on how to communicate the change effectively to students, teachers, and parents, and how to address any potential challenges or concerns.

We also help schools design policies that accommodate students who genuinely need access to their phones, for example, for medical or home-management reasons. This approach ensures inclusivity and practicality. Key logistical details such as where unlocking devices are located, and how to manage exceptions sensitively, are all part of a carefully planned rollout.

The cost is approximately £15 per student, and the pouch is designed to last for the student’s entire time at the school. Many schools have successfully involved their PTA in fundraising efforts, while most parents are more than willing to cover the cost themselves once they understand the wellbeing and educational benefits.

One of the key concerns for schools is COST! One more thing that was not factored into the budget and another cost with not enough funds to cover. One of the benefits of buying through NYC/NYES is that we can help them spread the cost over two years. This is not a subscription based solution – it’s a one off purchase, with a monthly payment schedule.