In recent months, in Europe, the debate over whether or not children should use cell phones. Many people think that children under 10 should not have cell phones and, increasingly, want their children not to have one before 16, even if social pressure doesn’t help.
Banning is generally not the option most valued by specialists, who prefer more conscious education rather than seeking to open the doors to the field. This would indicate ban mobile in itself This is not the best optionbut this would not open the doors to inconsiderate use of the smartphone either.
For example, in schools there are many teachers ask that devices not be used in class, in hallways or on the playground. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring your phone to the center, in case it’s necessary to use it in an emergency. The question is how to deal with this idea that teachers are the gatekeepers of the phones.
A very special case
This is where the company Yondr, founded in 2014 in San Francisco, comes in. This company has focused on offering solutions for schools, first and foremost, which allow the use of cell phones before and after arrival at the center, but not in the center itself
The device consists of two parts. On the one hand there is the cell phone case itself, a large piece of fabric that adapts to all models on the market. This case has a magnetic closure that requires another device to open. In this way, Even if the minor had the case, he would not be able to use the smartphone.
The second device is a circular piece with several screen-printed images, which somehow lock each case together through the use of magnets. The most important thing is that the minor does not get rid of his phone and that the teacher is not responsible for keeping dozens of cell phones every day. It only controls access to the unlock room, which is the one children must use before returning home.
An extension to 16 countries
This idea born in the United States was quickly exported to other countries. According to what the company told us, Yondr “is used by more than 1 million students in 16 countries and more than 3,000 schools around the world, with headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in New York, London and Sydney. But in recent times, the company has seen “increased demand in European countries and Australia, where countries are considering implementing phone ban legislation
In fact, some schools in Europe are already using this company’s method to control the use of smartphones in classrooms. AND the trend is increasing, according to the company. “Based on our confirmed and expected orders, we estimate a 150% increase in the number of schools using Yondr in 2023. Last year was our most successful year yet, and all signs point to 2024 will be even better.
Furthermore, Teachers themselves appreciate the help in controlling access to smartphones. In fact, according to the company, the “Teachers are our biggest advocates. Most of our business relies on word of mouth, where one school recommends Yondr to another.
Beyond the classrooms
Although it was designed for schools, This device is also beginning to be used in homes and other centers. The company acknowledges that there has been “great interest in The Yondr Home Tray, launching this fall and allowing you to replicate the phone-free experience of Yondr in a personal environment.”
Home Tray is a lockable box that blocks signal and allows you to store phones and other smart devices in a home, office or other place. The company says it “was designed to help parents and kids be more present, make workplaces more productive, and make people more conscious of their phone use.”
Another more unexpected but equally interesting use concerns concerts. More and more actors, artists or singers They ask their participants not to record or take photos of the event. To do this, some use Yondr, allowing participants to focus on the experience and not on uploading photos to social media.
In fact, Yondr has collaborated with businesses and entities to create mobile-free spaces in places like courts, university exams, workplaces, weddings, churches, award ceremonies, poker tournaments, video game launch events, corporate retreats…
It seems obvious that this trend will increase, and not only in schools. Society gradually realizes that, even ifSmartphones are already essential tools day by day, Its indiscriminate use is also problematicand solutions like the one offered by Yondr will only increase.
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