4 ways parents can adapt to phone-free schools

At a glance

• Phone-free schools can help kids build independence, but families need a clear plan for safety and communication during the school day.
• Parents should define what counts as urgent; identify trusted adults at school; and review the rules for phones, smartwatches and other devices.
• A predictable after-school check-in can help families stay connected without relying on constant texts.

As we head into the school year, many parents are adjusting to a different kind of day.

According to research conducted by Phones in Focus, a nonpartisan initiative that studies school phone policies, found that 74% of schools in its national sample had bell-to-bell phone bans during the 2025–2026 school year, up from 60% the year before.

This can mean a big change for parents, but Michelle Icard—parenting expert and author of several parenting books, including “8 Setbacks That Can Make Your Child a Success,”—says phone-free school policies can help kids build more confidence and independence.

Here are four tips to help parents adapt to the change and create an environment where their kids can thrive.

1. Redefine urgency with cellphones and school safety.

Many families have fallen into the habit of solving every inconvenience in real time. A forgotten assignment or a stressful class can immediately turn into a string of texts.

“Cellphone availability during the school day sets up kids and parents to be in steady communication with each other,” Icard says. That steady connection can create a sense of urgency to respond quickly, answer a question or solve a dilemma—but it can also keep kids from learning how to solve problems for themselves.

“It feels like it’s helpful and soothing,” Icard says, “but kids need to learn how to self-soothe, wait out their confusion or anxiety, and problem-solve independently.”

Try this: As a family, talk about what actually counts as an urgent situation. This can provide guardrails for what needs a call home and what can wait until after school.

2. Help your child build a support system at school.

Parents often become the first call for every problem simply because they’re easiest to reach. However, teachers, counselors, coaches and office staff can all potentially become trusted adults when students are learning how to ask for help.

“Real security comes from building your confidence and your connection to the community you share at school,” says Icard.

Helping your child identify two or three trusted adults—like a teacher or school counselor—can make the phone ban transition easier for them and for you.

Try this: Ask your child who they would go to if they felt sick or worried during the day. Who helps them feel safe when asking for help?

3. Understand phone ban terminology, especially when considering phone alternatives for kids.

School phone policies aren’t the same everywhere. While some states now require schools to limit student phone use, local school districts and individual schools may be able to decide how those rules are implemented, and if they cover devices like smartwatches as well as phones. That means terms like “bell-to-bell” or “phone-free” could have slightly different meanings depending on where your child goes to school.

Try this: Before considering a phone alternative for kids, check your school’s student handbook or technology policy for its specific guidelines.

4. Create a new routine for staying connected.

Start by clearly stating your expectations: During the school day, the school is the first line of support. Before the first day of school, make sure your child knows how to reach the main office, the school nurse or another trusted adult, and confirm how the school will contact you in a true emergency. Your kids can still reach you in an emergency through a trusted adult at school, but not every feeling or inconvenience needs an immediate message home.

Families can also use the change to create a meaningful moment to reconnect outside of the school day. That might happen in the car after school, during dinner or by walking the dog together.

Icard says healthy time apart without constant contact can improve connection, especially for parents of teens. “Some healthy time apart each day allows you to return to the relationship with more energy and more interesting things to share with each other,” she says

Try this: Replace school day check-ins with one predictable after-school conversation your family can count on.

Focus on mindful connection.

It’s understandable that parents may feel conflicted about school phone bans. As Icard says, it taps into an age-old parenting dilemma that existed well before cellphones: “We want our kids to grow independently, and at the same time, we want to keep them close and safe.”

But phone-free school policies can offer families a chance to build new habits: more focused learning, stronger school relationships and kids who trust themselves to handle challenges. Just as important, it gives parents a chance to show that true connection does not always come from constant contact.

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