Photo: Yondr
What was the world like before smartphones? Definitely don’t ask a teenager. Chances are they have no idea.
A report from Pew Research Center shows that 95% of all teens currently have access to or own a smartphone, and 45% are online pretty much 24/7.
Phone addiction has pushed many schools to enforce policies regulating usage during school hours. But, as we all know, it takes a little more than the iron fist of Miss Trunchbull to get kids to look up from their phones — and recently, schools have decided to explore more drastic measures.
This year, The Guardian reports, more than 1k schools nationwide will be using Yondr, a magnetized pouch system that locks students away from their phones while class is in sesh.
Schoooools back… from… summer
Musicians and standup comics have used Yondr to keep people present at their gigs since the San Francisco-based company launched in 2014.
But, in recent years, more and more schools have used the pouches to lock out students during school hours. And, while reviews are mixed — from students and teachers alike — there’s proof that it works.
Of course, kids aren’t going to give up easily
Some schools using Yondr have seen a decrease in phone use and an increase in person to person connectivity.
Yet, students, the rascals that they are, have also figured out ways to hack the pouch.
Still, according to Yondr spokeswoman Kelly Taylor, “Demand has tripled this year.”
