ST0032

Written evidence submitted by Yondr

My name is Graham Dugoni, and I founded Yondr in 2014 to help educators create phone-free schools. Our phone-free solution utilizes a patented lockable pouch system that prevents students from using their phones while still maintaining possession of them at all times. Yondr has helped over 3,000 global school partners go phone-free. Our program and solution are used by over 1 million students every day. Yondr has extensive experience working with governments and regions around the world that have enacted sweeping phone bans in schools. I would be more than happy to share my unique expertise and decade of accumulated knowledge on the subject. My team and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with legislators to discuss and advise on this issue.

CHALLENGES FACED BY SCHOOLS

Banning phones in schools is a crucial step towards protecting students and overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way of their education. Attempting to enforce this policy without the correct product or partner can place a significant burden on teachers, requiring constant vigilance and disciplinary action. Stowing away phones only partially prevents distractions during class due to the students continuing to receive notifications and the generally poor impulse control of adolescents and teenagers. While a "no-phone policy" is a good starting point, without an experienced partner and proven product, it can cause even more work and uncertainty for stressed administrators. Some schools have tried collecting phones from students at the start of each school day, but this leads to complex liability issues and the operational burden of storing and returning hundreds of phones every single school day.

With record numbers of teachers quitting the profession, staff retention is an essential consideration for schools choosing a phone-free system. Additional stress or burdens on teachers to monitor and punish students can harm teacher satisfaction. Phone-free school programs should always support and improve teacher-student relationships.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Yondr pioneered the concept of phone-free spaces in 2014. Our methods have been honed by the feedback of principals, teachers, and education experts who use our products. As a mission-driven organization that has worked with schools for ten years, our priority has always been helping our school partners improve academic outcomes, student well-being, and mental health. Our team has developed the products and guidance to help schools create engaging, phone-free learning environments from arrival to dismissal.

Adopting Yondr creates a school-wide behavior change that reduces bullying, anxiety, and disciplinary issues. Creating a school-wide phone-free environment is crucial for creating a uniform experience focused on positive social interaction and learning. Yondr's unique product allows students to maintain possession of their personal property while removing the temptation to use it.

The benefits of the Yondr system can be seen almost immediately, with positive outcomes for teachers, parents, and students alike. We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our school partners. After implementing Yondr, one school reported that more library books had been checked out in one week than the entire previous year. Dining halls are lively and loud again when previously students silently scrolled their social media feeds.

Many teachers have reported regaining as much as 10 minutes of additional teaching and learning time each lesson. Many of our phone-free schools report being several weeks ahead of their scheduled learning programs and curriculums.

YONDR PHONE-FREE SCHOOL SURVEY FINDINGS

86% saw a positive impact in student safety and wellness

84% saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom

72% saw an improvement in student behavior

68% saw an improvement in academic performance

YONDR IN THE UK

Yondr operates a London office that partners with 250 state and private schools in the UK. I believe that Yondr can help revolutionize student interaction and mental health in UK schools.

Phone addiction is a leading cause of the current mental health crisis that students are facing. Adolescent anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and suicidality are on the rise. We support the Education Secretary's guidance warning schools about the dangers of social media and phone use to young people. We hope to continue the conversation and raise awareness around effective programs that support students and teachers during this critical transitional time.

As a company, we aim to help everyone examine their relationship with technology and the barriers it can create between people and meaningful experiences. When students step into a phone-free school, and we remove this technological crutch, they adapt very quickly, and it immediately allows them to rediscover the fundamental joys of being present and focused on simply being a student again.

Yondr phone-free schools are proven to protect children and support them through a difficult stage of their lives when constant inundation with technology often does more harm than good.

October 2023