89% of Parents Want Schools to Lead on Phone-Free Policies

Yondr, the pioneer of phone-free spaces, today released a groundbreaking new report capturing the sentiment of over 1,000 parents nationwide – the last generation to experience a childhood free of devices – on smartphone use. The findings point to a cultural tipping point – parents are not only deeply aware of the problem of pervasive screentime, they’re looking for leadership and action. 

“The data confirms what we’re hearing from families across the country: parents are overwhelmed, kids are distracted, and everyone is craving a reset,” said Graham Dugoni, founder and CEO of Yondr. “Phone-free spaces can no longer be considered an optional add-on, but are now a baseline requirement expected by parents in their child’s school. It’s clear there’s a growing demand for environments that give children an extended break from their phones – whether at school, at home, or in the community.”

A whopping 97% of parents believe reducing phone and social media usage would have at least one major personal positive benefit, and 95% say their children would benefit from a break from screens. Parents want their children to be more present and better connected to the world around them. However, parental concern about technology isn’t limited to smartphones, as schools across the country rush to incorporate cutting-edge technology, including AI. 66% of parents express serious concern about their children’s tech use overall, with the majority voicing anxiety over laptops, tablets, and AI tools. 

Overwhelmingly (84.3%), parents associate their children’s high phone and social media use with negative effects, including distraction (62.2%), anxiety (31.9%), and loneliness (25.5%). Despite these negative impacts, parents report that phone use is creeping into nearly every aspect of daily life from family vacations (88% of children and 91% of parents) to holiday gatherings (85% of children and 82% of parents) to even milestone events like graduations (57% of children and 55% of parents). 

The increased attention to their children’s screen time is serving as a wake-up call for parents:

• 89% of parents say noticing their child’s screen time led them to reflect on their own
• 75% of parents admit they use their phone “too much”
• Over 50% believe cutting back would help them feel more present, productive, and connected

Excessive phone use is also having an impact on parents’ lives:

• 43% report that phone overuse is harming their mental health
• 38% say it’s hurting their physical health
• 37% report damage to romantic relationships
• One in four (26%) report phone usage is negatively impacting job performance

As parents recognize the negative impacts of screen time in their own lives, the vast majority (84%) also report that phones are causing serious problems at school. While parental pushback is often cited as a hurdle to pass bell-to-bell legislation, increasingly parents expect schools to lead on this issue:

• 89% want schools to develop a long-term plan for managing phone use
• 68% expect schools to invest in cutting-edge solutions to address it
• A majority of parents (56%) support either a bell-to-bell phone-free policy or a complete ban on phones in schools

For access to the full report, click here.

Research Methodology
About the respondents:

• 1,000 American Millennial and Gen X parents with children between the ages of 8 and 17 comprise a random scientific sample with a margin of error of 3%.
• Key demographics:
  • 54% are Millennials (27 to 44) and 46% are Gen X (45 to 59).
  • 52% are male and 48% are female.
  • 69% are white; 13% Black, 12% Hispanic, 5% AAPI.
  • Median HHI is: $95,000.