Phones have become an extension of almost every modern human, especially teenagers. Generation Z, or Gen Z heavily associate themselves with technology and social media. For many it has become a part of their identity, like in humor. But it could also be exactly what is blocking this generation from success both in and outside of the classroom. So, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring schools to implement a phone restriction policy by July 1, 2026. The intention is to lower students’ anxiety and depression, and help students have undistracted success in academics.
However, Gen Z knows no life or separation from their screens. They began using technology in classrooms as young as 1st grade, then went fully online in 2020. Technology gives this generation a sense of comfort, and phones are personal safety nets. However, being constantly on cellphones is scientifically proven to deteriorate people’s mental health, but removing them also means removing comfort and routine. This disruption makes minds race between reason and desire; do what is right and comply without complaint or fight and resist the uncomfortable change.
When the new phone policy was announced at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy , students were anxious about losing the comfort of their phones. Many people saw no reason for phones to be stripped away.
With this being the freshman’s first introduction to FSHA, questions arose about what they thought about their long-awaited high school experience being suddenly phone-free.
“It’s not much of a change from middle school, where we didn’t use them that much,” says an anonymous freshman.
The sophomores just made it through a year full of change and are finally getting comfortable– without their phones.
“I honestly don’t mind them and I feel like it helps me focus, but it is an inconvenience for communication,” says Catalina Quispe ‘28.
The juniors got 2 years with phones and now 2 years without; the best of both worlds. Junior Viviana Leyva ‘27 expresses how she appreciates the lowered screen time, but still worries about how she would get in contact with her parents during an emergency.
“Sure there’s email, but [texting] is always faster,” said Leyva.
Seniors have 3 full years of high school education behind them and they have their special privileges, but the phone policy is universalized throughout FSHA and perhaps the most impactful rule. Does this rule add to the stress? Or does it give students clarity and focus during their last moments of sisterhood?
The main question from students is why? Reasoning being that students barely go on their phones during the school day anyway, so what could locking them up change?
To answer these questions, Ms. Kim, the Assistant Principal of Student Life and Culture, says that “Cell phones, our screens are not going away, but maybe from the hours of 8:20 to 3:05, you just get to connect in person.”
Last year, Ms. Kim read a book called The Anxious Generation, which gave her insights on how her students were impacted by the world they were born into and how that impacts academics.
“There is this interesting phenomenon that exists where the level of anxiety is heightened because of how connected we are to social media and the distraction it causes at school, because we all know in some ways, even though our phone may be put in the cell phone holder like we had last year, our minds can be somewhere else,” says Ms. Kim.
Furthermore, she explains how this moved FSHA towards the Yondr pouches, really wanting to emphasize that our school is a safe space for girls to be themselves, whenever and however they want. As an all-girls school, FSHA aims to be a place where students can make mistakes freely, and the Yondr pouches help nurture the values we hold so close.
“I do think in the age of smartphones, there’s an anxiety that comes from the thought that a picture may be taken of [a student without their permission] and I’m not okay with that,” says Ms. Kim.
Along with protecting its students, Yondr pouches prepare students for their lives off the Hill.
“Recognize in college, you’re not going to have these parameters set. And you have to learn as a college student to be disciplined to know when to unplug so that you can study, so that you can read, and when to engage.” Ms. Kim adds.
Teachers are not spared from the effects of the pouches, and even though they do not have to use them; they hold a different perspective. They are able to observe students’ reactions to the phone policy and see how it influences their attitudes.
“I’ve seen students who are engaged, really eager to delve into the contents and delve into the material, to work in teams, to collaborate with their peers… a lot more creativity with their schoolwork, more ingenuity”. shared Dr. Mills, a Social Studies and Gender Studies teacher.
Dr. Mills has a positive outlook on the Yondr pouches’ effects: “It’s going to benefit all of us, and really foster that sense of community for our campus and add value to the interactions that we have with each other.”
Science teacher Mrs. Toogood reflects on technology use in the classroom. Previously, she relied on phones for some labs, but now she and her students will have to work around the limitation. Toogood sees the long-term benefits of this. “I do think that having less technology in the classroom, laptops, even cell phones, is opening up more students to be able to critically think, versus having the answer right there. So you’re thinking more, and you are able to work with your peers to find those answers and [collaborate],”
Though Yonder pouches were put into effect to better influence students’ mental health and focus, added integrity to the campus could be a positive indirect effect.
“There’s not that instant gratification of getting to be able to communicate with their peers, especially when it comes to exams or things like that, and that helps with the integrity of our campus,” says Toogood.
With FSHA’s student body and staff keeping their open minds, the Yondr pouches are proving to be a success this school year.
