Phones are now a normal part of student life, but that doesn’t mean they belong in every moment of the school day. Studies show that half of teens spend over an hour a day on their phones during school.
It’s such a problem that 77% of U.S. public schools now prohibit non-academic use of cell phones during school hours, and many parents and advocacy groups are pushing for outright bans. Still, many students bring phones to school for safety, after-school logistics, and, of course, talking to their friends.
If your child brings a device to campus, it’s a good idea to talk to them about responsible phone use at school. This guide helps you set expectations for when and how they can use their device at school (including not at all!), and gives you a primer on how to monitor their usage to ensure they stay focused on learning.
Why phones are a problem in schools
Here are some of the downsides of phones at school:
Distraction. Teachers report phones as a major source of distraction for students during class.
Cheating. Some students use their phones at school to cheat.
Loss of learning time. The more time educators have to spend managing phones in their classrooms, the less time they can spend teaching.
Cyberbullying.Cyberbullying often centers around school social dynamics. Having phones on campus only exacerbates the problem.
Tips for getting phones out of your child’s school
If you’re on team ban-all-phones, here are some suggestions for advocating change in your district:
Band together with like-minded parents. There’s strength in numbers. Talk to other parents about joining forces to push for a ban.
Talk to school administrators. School districts vary in how much control they give individual school administrators. Talk to the principal at your child’s school to see if changes can be made at the school level.
How to set rules for phone use at school
If your child will be bringing their phone to school, set expectations for how the device can and cannot be used during school hours. Here are some tips:
Check the school’s existing policies. Make sure your expectations don’t contradict the school’s policies. (The teachers will thank you!) Review the school’s acceptable use policy (AUP) for devices to get specifics.
Involve your child. Kids are more likely to get on board with phone rules if they have a say in them. Open the conversation by asking your child what they think is reasonable and build from there. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to bend to everything they want; you’re the parent, and your word is final.
Use phones infrequently, and only as needed. A good rule of thumb is for kids to use their phones at school as infrequently as possible and only as needed. “Need” and “want” can be flexible concepts for kids, so be specific about what that looks like. For example:
Outside of class time only (or before and after school only).
In an emergency.
If plans change.
To coordinate getting picked up.
“Never” is an acceptable option. Your child may try to convince you that they simply have to bring their phone to school. (But Mom! All the other kids do!) If you decide you don’t want them to use their phone at school at all, that’s your right as a parent. Give them your reasons, but stay firm on your choice.
Consider using parental controls. There’s something to be said for letting kids learn to self-regulate. But if your child has a hard time complying with your phone rules or gets easily distracted by notifications, you can use parental controls to set limits on screen time during school hours.
Don’t make it harder on them. Resist the urge to text your kid during the school day, unless it’s urgent. Even if you tell them to wait to respond, it’s distracting and may be hard for them to resist texting back.
How parents can monitor phone use during school hours
Use screen time settings and filters. Both Apple and Android devices have free features that let you set limits around when your child can use their phone and what apps they can access.
Ask them. Digital tools are great, but there’s still something to be said for face-to-face accountability. Consider checking in with your child daily or weekly to see how they feel responsible phone use at school is going for them.
Set up BrightCanary.BrightCanary monitors everything your child types, so you can see if they’re really using their phone at school to coordinate with their project partners or gossiping with their bestie.
The bottom line
From lost learning time to cyberbullying to cheating, phones in schools can be a major problem. Talk to your child about responsible phone use at school, such as no texting during class. Apple’s Screen Time, Google Family Link, and BrightCanary are tools that can help you monitor your child’s phone use before, during, and after school.
If you want to see just how your child really uses their phone at school, BrightCanary can help. The app monitors everything your child types and provides you with AI-powered summaries, access to full transcripts, and alerts when they type anything worrisome. Download it today and get started.
