Yondr

                                                        YONDR

When I was younger phones were never a problem as no one had any phones, but as I aged out of elementary school phone policies became a big deal. This year my school introduced a new phone policy, the YONDR pouches.  

YONDR pouches are these small gray pouches that magnetically lock using a similar system to the security tags on clothes in a store. This system locks up your phone from when you get to school until you leave, if people listen. I know for a fact every morning kids tell the teachers, “I left my phone in the car” or  “I left it at home,” yet they just have their phone in their backpacks. Overall this system has many flaws, and I don't think it's very different in terms of success from the classroom. 

The goal of the YONDR pouches was to make the campus phone free, but I feel that it has only encouraged students to hide their phones and use them more. The new bill introduced by Vermont lawmakers Jan. 29 would prohibit students from using cell phones and other personal electronic devices. This law would make lawmakers add a new level of focus to making schools phone free. However, I think the bill would cause even more controversy than many schools' current policies. For example, many people argue, “Without phones how can kids contact their parents?” If the government implemented this ban in schools many children would struggle to find ways home if there was a change in plans. Some schools responded to this saying they can contact their parents through the office, but many feel that having to have a private conversation with their parents in front of administrators at the front desk feels uncomfortable.

 In my opinion implementing this policy would benefit my school as it would change our phone policy with YONDR pouches: removing them because there will no longer be a need for them on campus. The YONDR doesn't make me feel good about putting away my phone as there is no way for me to access it if someone has to contact me during the day. This law would improve our school because kids would have a more comfortable environment; The current rules don't positively encourage lessening phone usage. 

The big picture is, phones are a tool for communication, and kids do spend too much time on them. But there needs to be a balance. removing phones from schools entirely isn't going to stop every kid from bringing their phone to school. Administrators should work to teach students to use phones responsibly instead of just locking them away.