The Digital Dilemma: Students, Smartphone Bans, and Needing a New Approach

Did you know that North American students who are required to put their phones away in Yondr pouches during class are now bringing burner phones to school just to stay connected to their real devices?

As schools continue to enforce smartphone bans, the challenge of reducing digital distractions has evolved, with students finding creative ways to bypass the rules.

This behaviour highlights a larger issue: why do students feel the need to stay constantly connected to their devices?

A 2019 Common Sense Media study found that nearly half (48%) of teenagers admit to using a secondary phone or app to stay connected during school hours, even when their primary device is locked away.

That's nearly 1 in 2 students, showing that even the strictest digital bans can't prevent students from finding ways around them.

Without a broader understanding of healthy technology use, students will keep finding workarounds, making it clear that the issue isn't just about the devices—it’s about how and why we use them.

Beyond being "addicted" to social media or gaming, many students are conditioned to see their phones as essential tools for social interaction, personal security, and accessing information in our fast-paced digital world.

What’s needed is a shift in approach–to move beyond simple phone management and teach students not just how to manage their phone use but why it matters that they do.

This is where the digital wellness program JOMO(campus) comes in. It’s not just another program—it’s a movement, empowering school communities to develop a mindful approach to technology, using it in ways that foster joy, connection, focus, and well-being.

It’s designed to support the mental health and well-being of everyone in the school community—students, teachers, and families alike. The lessons are consistent and engaging, combining interactive activities, research-based insights, and clear, achievable goals.

Schools like Woodland Christian High School are already seeing the benefits. Vice Principal Marjorie Sutherland shared: “We shared the JOMO vision at our membership meeting, and I had several parents stop me afterward and say they are so happy we are moving in this direction.”