Across the country, a growing number of schools are placing new limits on student smartphone use. From Texas to New York, districts are adopting “bell-to-bell” bans, meaning phones stay out of reach from the start of the day until the last bell rings. For many parents, these policies come as both a relief and a challenge.   Relief because students can focus more in class, and a challenge because phones have become such a constant part of daily life.

The Impact on Learning

A recent large-scale study involving nearly 17,000 students found that mandatory smartphone collection during class led to higher grades, especially among students who were struggling the most. First-year students, non-STEM majors, and those with lower GPAs saw the biggest improvements. Read the study here.

The takeaway is clear: fewer distractions equal more learning.
Educators are also noticing benefits beyond grades. Teachers report more eye contact, stronger classroom engagement, and a calmer environment when phones are out of sight. And for students, the shift can mean a healthier balance — more time spent focusing on lessons and friends, less on endless scrolling.

What This Means for Parents

As schools make bold moves to restore focus in the classroom, parents may be asking: What about at home? Evenings and weekends can feel just as filled with digital distractions as the school day once did. The temptation to scroll, text, or game late into the night is real and it can affect not only homework but also sleep, family time, and mental well-being.

How Gryphon Can Help

That’s where Gryphon comes in. Our mission has always been to promote online safety and give families peace of mind. With Gryphon, parents can:

• Set healthy screen time limits so kids can focus on homework or wind down before bed.
• Filter inappropriate content while still allowing access to safe educational resources.
• Pause the internet with one tap to bring everyone back to the dinner table.

Just as schools are working to create healthier learning environments, Gryphon helps families create healthier home environments. Together, these efforts can give children the focus and protection they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.