The sound of a thud, followed by a series of clinks and clacks as blocks crash one by one onto the lunch table, some falling to the floor, are some of the new sounds heard in the cafeteria as students engage in a game of Jenga at Mt. Hope High School — because the phones have been silenced. Let the games begin. This is the new way to eat lunch at Mt. Hope since Nov. 18, 2024, when a new policy restricting the use of cell phones during the school day was implemented.

“Lunchtime is hilarious,” said Michelle King, principal of Mt. Hope, with a big smile on her face as she described the “new” lunch atmosphere since the cell phone policy began. Students now play games like UNO, Connect Four, and Jenga to pass the time instead of looking down at their phones. Camaraderie among teachers and students is playing out as students challenge them to partake in these games. King went on to say, “The volume is louder, but in a good way.” 

Similar policies are taking shape across the state as schools realize cell phone usage is disturbing the educational process.

According to Brian Ricca, superintendent of East Greenwich public schools, as of this year, East Greenwich has implemented a phone-free procedure at the high school, prohibiting students from using cell phones during all school hours. Previously, this rule applied only during class time, with transition and lunch periods open to phone use. The procedure now leaves it up to students to put and keep their phones away during school hours.

“Everyone, students included, has noticed a difference in interactions,” said Ricca. “Particularly, students have noted being more engaged with other students at lunch instead of eating with one hand and scrolling with the other,” Ricca said — echoing King’s recent observations. 

Tiverton has a less restrictive procedure, allowing students to use phones during lunch and transitions. Phone pocket holders hanging in the classrooms are used to store the students’ phones during class time, according to Susan Craven, principal at Tiverton High School.

Similar to pocket holders, Yondr pouches are being used in some districts, like Central Falls. Students keep their phones locked inside the pouch until the end of the school day. At that time, students swipe the pouch in front of a magnetic mechanism to unlock it.

See how the new Mt. Hope phone-free system works.

This is the system Mt. Hope just began using. According to King, the pouches remain with the student throughout the day, giving students a sense of security, knowing that their devices are still in their possession.

Looking ahead to a statewide ban 

State Rep. Julie Casimiro of North Kingstown plans to introduce a bill that would establish a statewide policy on cell phone use in schools that would ban the use of them during school hours. She is reviewing the different approaches currently in place and consulting with the National Education Association of Rhode Island, as well as schools with existing policies, and other stakeholders, to gather input on what the statewide policy should include. She noted the importance of including everyone in the process, saying, “We do have to have a conversation.”

King offers insight into how a statewide policy might be shaped, reflecting on her experience with the process. “The conversation about implementing a policy began well before it happened,” she said. She cited key steps in the process, such as committee meetings and discussions about the positive aspects they hoped to achieve, including engagement in academics, school safety, and social emotional well-being. It was a slow process that included input from both parents and students. Parents were mostly on board, although some students resisted, claiming, “We can multitask,” suggesting they could focus on both their phones and their education. 

Craven of Tiverton discussed the process, saying, “Everyone agreed cell phones were the biggest issue to focus on, because they were causing so many disruptions,” with bullying being one of the concerns. The most important piece of success with the policy, Craven said, is “consistency and teamwork.” 

Casimiro is hoping to propose the statewide policy this February. The answer to what that policy should look like comes from the examples of schools that have already implemented such policies, like Mt. Hope, a school Casimiro plans to visit in the new year.

The student response

Feedback has been mostly positive. Students at Mt. Hope have commented, “We are forced to socialize, but in a good way.” Teachers say the process has been “seamless.” King added, “I am really proud.” She said she entered into this process with empathy for all involved and tries to keep a positive outlook on the entire process.

If students forget their Yondr pouch at home, they have “valet parking” set up for them to store it for the day. King pointed out the renaming of the station from “phone jail” to “valet parking” to keep that sense of empathy in the spotlight.  

She also recounted a conversation with a student one day when she asked him to check the time on his Chromebook. The student responded, “Where’s your phone?” to which she replied, “Why would I have my phone?” King sees herself as one of the people who needs to set an example of the policy she is enforcing. “Empathy is the way to go forward with any policy,” she said.  

Other towns adopting similar policies and procedures include East Providence, Newport, Providence and South Kingstown, with Portsmouth showing an interest.