Following the Phone-Free School Act implemented by the state of California, The Preuss School UC San Diego adopted Yondr pouches to regulate phone use starting this 2025-26 school year. As a result, social interactions have increased and the overall working environment has improved.
Preuss has attempted various times in the past to restrict phone use during school hours with phone boxes, phone carts, etc, but none of these have worked. The reason the school tried hard to restrict phone use was because phones caused distractions, which in turn led to low grades.
“I did not do too well [in school]… I would focus on tomfooleries like texting friends from other schools,” said Axel Gomez (‘28).
Phone usage during school hours also provoked problems between students because they would often post pictures or comments about each other that were sensitive and could be classified as cyber bullying, which led to impacts on mental health. That whole issue contributed to the adoption of Yondr Pouches.
Vice Principal Brown explained that students no longer enter the office complaining about other students posting anything about them which in turn has decreased the impact on mental health.
“Without phones there have been lower impacts on mental health,” said Vice Principal Ms.Brown.
The usage of phones on campus became a problem that not only distracted students from school work but also decreased social interactions. This became a persistent issue that left plenty of students isolated.
“Kids who were usually alone have started to be more included in activities,” shared Ms.Brown. The restricted usage of phones has caused social interactions to rise within student environments.
Although social interactions during lunch and passing periods have increased, it isn’t the only time where positive changes have occurred. Classrooms have also seen a positive impact now that phones aren’t accessible with more students actively participating and doing their work.
“Now that phones are restricted I’m more focused, I no longer have the urge to take my phone out during class,” said Ariel Ceballos (‘27).
