“Our school is a no-phone zone!”

Phone Free Schools

Using brain science education to inform and support an effective phone-free policy

A Guide For School Administrators
Provided by ScreenStrong

The Benefits of a Phone-Free School

More Social Interaction
Improved Communication Skills
Strengthened Executive Function
Better Focus and Higher Grades
Reduced Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Increased Participation in School Activities
Greater Classroom Engagement
Strengthened Screen Habits and Self-Control

Don’t start from scratch. We have your back.

Everything you need for your new phone-free policy is right here.

The Stats

Analyzing the Impact of
Phones in Schools

Students spend up to 25% of class time on their phones
It takes 20 minutes to refocus on learning after a phone interruption
44 studies have found that excessive use of smartphones in class decreases academic performance
Just the presence of turned off phones in class reduces cognitive abilities
72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom

Teen loneliness doubled between the years 2012 & 2018
30% of teens wish they had more friends
54% of teenagers say social media pulls their attention away from friends who are physically present
It takes 200 hours of spending time together in person to build a solid friendship
Only 32% of seniors say they gather with friends “almost every day.” This is down from 44% in 2010

100% of kids with smartphones will see porn. 33% view porn during the school day
30% of girls 12-17 suffer from major depression
3 hours per day on social media doubles the risk of depression & anxiety
Self harm is up 62% from the previous decade
41% of teens with the highest social media use rate their overall mental health as poor or very poor

Students who spend significant time on phones are 30% more likely to develop myopia
Children with over 5 hours a day on screens are twice as likely to become obese compared to those under 2 hours
The risk of adolescent alcohol abuse is 66% more common with smartphone use over 4 hours a day
Smartphones are a key barrier to engaging in physical activity during recess
50% of teens are sleep deprived due to screen overuse

The Cost

of Keeping
Phones in Schools

Academic Distraction
Academic Integrity
Reduced Attention Span
Addiction Risks
Impaired Social Skills
Extracurricular Participation Decline
Cyberbullying Risks
Mental Health Effects
Classroom Management Disruption
Physical Activity and Engagement Decline
Inappropriate Content Exposure

The Benefits

of a Phone-Free School

For Your Students

Stronger Peer Connections & Communication Skills
Improved Focus & Academic Performance
Better Mental Health
Healthier Social Environment
Increased Physical Activity & School Participation

For Teachers & Staff

Improved Grades
Enhanced Classroom Engagement
Reduced Cheating
Easier Classroom Management

For Parents & Families

Stronger Bonds
Better Screen Habits
Empowered Parents

What You Get In Our FREE Guide:

The stats & benefits of a phone-free school
A complete sample phone-free policy
How to educate your students and parent community
Letter to teachers & parents
Sample FAQs
Recruit volunteers to be Phone-Free School Champions

Bonus Material:

School Assembly Slides & Talking Points
School SCREEN Awareness Poster Series for Elementary, Middle and High

Kids’ Brains & Screens

ScreenStrong’s engaging science-based curriculum that empowers kids to understand screens, make better choices, and strengthen family connections.

Phone-Free
Champions

Building real connections through social activities, new hobbies, and screen-free fun!

Parents play a key role in ensuring the success of a phone-free policy. Their involvement helps reinforce healthy habits at home and school, motivating students to embrace low-tech social activities, balance, and positive change.

A grade-level Phone-Free Champion is a volunteer who supports the phone-free policy by raising awareness of its benefits and encouraging face-to-face interactions. Champions act as a bridge between parents, students, and school staff.

Each school ideally has one Lead Rep to coordinate these efforts, which could be a PTO member or a parent enthusiastic about the new policy.

Ways Phone-Free Champions Can Help:

Advocate for the Policy: Communicate the phone-free initiative’s goals and benefits to other parents.
Organize Workshops: Host science-based talks on the effects of screens, inviting ScreenStrong Ambassadors to present.
Lead Non-Tech Activities: Organize game nights, picnics, and non-tech social events to foster in-person connections.
Support Teachers: Work alongside teachers to help implement and enforce the phone-free policy.

Encourage parents to explore additional resources, like ScreenStrong’s free Connect Group, for education and support.

“After the first Friday Fun Night I organized for the class, my middle schooler woke up the next morning and excitedly said it was the most fun they’d ever had in middle school! We couldn’t wait to start planning the next one. It was such a great reminder of how much fun kids can have without screens!“

—ScreenStrong Parent Phone-Free Champion

Research & Tech

7 Core Values for Using Technology in the Classroom

Download

Personal Devices & Laptop Use in the Classroom

Download

COMING SOON!
Research Behind Phone-free Schools

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