Smartphones in school: 6 tips to help teens stay focused

Walk into any U.S. school today, and you’ll see more students than ever with smartphones in hand. And as their presence grows, so does the debate over their role in education. Some families rely on phones to be connected during emergencies, while others worry about their impact on focus and learning. As schools work to find the right balance, parents can take proactive steps to help their teens build better phone habits—both in and out of the classroom. 

Here are six strategies to help your teen stay focused during the school day.

1. Set smartphone expectations—and follow them yourself.

Teens are still developing executive functioning skills, and many need help establishing boundaries. Start with some questions: How does their phone distract them? Do they see their grades or focus suffer? Talk about your own experience with focus and your phone at work, and lead by example. Establish clear rules about phone use at school, with agreed-upon consequences if they break them.

2. Use the smartphone’s built-in features to limit distractions.

Help your teen’s phone work for them, not against them. Features like Apple’s Screen Time or Google’s Digital Wellbeing allow you to set app limits or schedule downtime during school hours. Verizon Family Plus can also help by disabling nonessential apps or sending usage reports. Start with restrictions on social media and games, then gradually give them more control as they develop better habits.

3. Reinforce school smartphone policies—not undermine them.

Schools have widely different phone policies, but whether it’s a “phones-in-lockers” rule or a “silent mode only” guideline, parents should reinforce it. If you text your teen during the school day, you send the message that these rules don’t matter. Instead, model respect for school policies and encourage your teen to do the same.

4. Reframe the phone’s role in their day.

To today’s teens, a phone isn’t just a tool—it’s an extension of themselves. But in most cases, they don’t actually need it during the school day. Some teachers incorporate technology with apps, but outside of those instances, phones are more of a distraction than a necessity. Encourage your teen to keep their phone in their locker, or, for those who struggle, leave it at home. And remind them: If they need to reach you, the school still has a landline.

5. Create a “focus mode” routine.

Many phones have a focus mode or “do not disturb” setting that can automatically turn on during school hours. Work with your teen to customize their phone so notifications pause when they’re in class. If your teen uses their device for educational purposes, ensure only necessary apps remain accessible. Practicing this habit now can build a strong foundation for self-regulation.

6. Help them build digital discipline for the future.

Phones aren’t going anywhere, and neither are the challenges they create. University of Pittsburgh media studies professor Jessica Ghilani teaches college students who struggle with phone etiquette. “I accept that young folks are tethered to their devices in a way that distracts and divides their attention,” she says. Before your teen reaches adulthood, help them build habits like silencing notifications, stepping out to take calls, and keeping phone use appropriate to the setting. Developing these skills now will set them up for better focus and productivity in every aspect of life.

The bottom line

Technology isn’t the enemy, but it can take control if you don’t set boundaries. Helping your teen find balance starts with setting clear expectations, leveraging parental controls, and reinforcing school rules. Most importantly, keep the conversation going. Ask about their day, what excited them, what frustrated them. Those real conversations help teens recognize their own challenges with phone use—and build the discipline to manage it.

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