But what if there was a way to create a phone-free environment in your school, without confiscating or banning phones? What if you could foster more engagement, interaction, and focus among your students, while also respecting their privacy and personal property?

That’s where Yondr comes in. Yondr is a company that has developed a unique product and program to help schools become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal1. In this blog post, I will explain how Yondr works, what benefits it offers, and how you can get started with it.

How Yondr Works

Yondr’s product is a simple yet ingenious pouch that locks your phone inside. The pouch is made of durable fabric and has a magnetic seal that can only be opened with a special device. The pouch also blocks the phone’s signal, so you won’t receive any notifications or calls while it’s inside.

Yondr’s program is a comprehensive solution that provides guidance and support to schools that want to implement a phone-free policy1. Yondr works with each school to customize their program according to their needs and goals. Yondr also provides all the necessary materials, such as pouches, unlocking devices, signage, and training.

The typical process of using Yondr in a school is as follows:

• Students receive a pouch at the beginning of the school day and place their phone inside.
• Students keep the pouch with them throughout the day, ensuring their phone is secure and inaccessible.
• Students unlock their pouch at the end of the school day and retrieve their phone.

What Benefits Yondr Offers

Yondr’s product and program have been proven to have positive impacts on student engagement, social development, and mental health. Some of the benefits that Yondr offers are:

• Minimizing distractions in the classroom and promoting student engagement by eliminating the use of devices2. Teachers regain control of their classroom and foster more positive relationships with their students3.
• Enhancing social skills and communication among students by encouraging face-to-face interactions and reducing isolation and cyberbullying. Students also develop more empathy and respect for each other.
• Improving mental health and well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and addiction associated with phone use. Students also gain more self-confidence and self-esteem by being more present and mindful.

Yondr has partnered with thousands of schools across 16 countries and has received positive feedback from educators, students, and parents4. Some of the testimonials from Yondr’s partners are:

• "Kids are paying attention, but they are also interacting in ways they hadn’t before5. It’s given children back their youth6. We have a beautiful courtyard that no one used before we had the Yondr pouches7. Now, they use it."8 — West Philadelphia HS, USA
• "We have noted a complete shift in the use of mobile phones on the school campus9. Students are much more engaged in classes without the distraction of phones10. It has drastically reduced the need for sanctions among students.”11 — Gaelcholaiste Cheatharlach, IRELAND
• "There has been much more student interaction and communication in the yard at recess and at lunch times12. There is also no messaging in class so students are more focused and there has been less bullying."13 — Meningie Area School, AUSTRALIA

How to Get Started with Yondr

If you are interested in making your school phone-free with Yondr, you can request a free demo or consultation on their website. Yondr will provide you with all the information and support you need to implement their product and program in your school.

You can also check out their blog, press, and FAQ sections to learn more about their vision, mission, and values. Yondr believes that the highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement and make your school phone-free with Yondr today!

References: overyondr.com