Are Students Safer Without Cell Phones?

Don Zesiger, Yondr School Safety Partner

Students today are confronting a profound social, psychological, and academic crisis that can’t be ignored. Mental health experts have identified cell phones as a key contributor to this issue and have highlighted the urgent need to limit the time young people spend online. 

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on social media and youth mental health. The data is alarming: nearly 95% of young people aged 13-17 report near-constant social media use. Research shows that excessive use—over three hours a day—can elevate risks of depression, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and exposure to harmful content. Additionally, smartphone use in schools correlates with lower grades, increased cyberbullying, and higher rates of behavioral incidents. 

As the Director of School Safety at Akron Public Schools, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact the Yondr Program had on our students. The lunchroom became a more positive, interactive space, with students engaging in face-to-face conversations instead of scrolling on their phones. Surveys from staff, parents, and students suggested that our Yondr policy led to fewer physical conflicts, improved focus in learning, and reduced classroom disruptions. Teachers felt more supported by the administration because the uniform cell phone policy for the school district meant they did not have to be the phone police.  

I hear from parents every day who recognize the benefits of a phone-free education. However, some are concerned about their child’s safety in a phone-free school. They often worry about their ability to contact their child in an emergency or how their child can call for help.

While these concerns are understandable, it’s crucial to recognize that smartphones often do not enhance student safety and can instead lead to dangerous distractions. In fact, during emergencies, cell phone use can impede effective response efforts. The last thing we want is students on their cell phones in the midst of an emergency. They should be taking direction from the principal, the teachers, and the leaders in the school to get them to a place of safety. A phone-free policy does not limit the necessary communication that needs to happen during an emergency. Teachers, staff, and administrators have access to cell phones and can immediately contact law enforcement and EMS in an emergency. 

Implementing a phone-free school policy is also important to mitigate misinformation and its consequences. Fake social media posts threatening violence create panic and anxiety in all of us. Law enforcement researches all threats as if they are real and exercises due diligence to make sure our students are safe. This requires a tremendous amount of time and resources. A phone-free school limits the opportunity for bogus social media threats to occur during the school day and allows students and teachers to stay focused on learning, while leaving law enforcement resources available to respond to real threats.

It’s essential that we align on this issue, prioritizing our students' well-being and academic success. When school administrators and parents collaborate and recognize the benefits of a phone-free policy, they create a safer and more focused learning environment.