What happens when schools set boundaries on student phone use—not to punish, but to empower learning? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Yang, President of the Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education, to explore the increasingly complex relationship between students, smartphones, and learning environments. Julie brings both personal and professional insights from her roles as an educator, board leader, and parent to help us unpack how thoughtful school policies can shape healthier, more focused, and less anxious learning experiences.
We dive into how schools are navigating the pros and cons of technology in classrooms, what research says about screen time and attention, and why policies need to be rooted in both compassion and practicality. Julie walks us through the real-life rollout of phone regulations in one of the country’s largest school systems, and the student feedback that’s reshaping how we think about tech in education. If you’re a parent, educator, or student wondering what “phone away for a better day” really looks like—this conversation’s for you.
Episode Highlights:
[3:44] – Why regulating phone use in schools is such a hot topic right now
[5:18] – Montgomery County’s current phone policy and the balance between rules and student self-regulation
[7:30] – How student phone use has evolved through the 2010s, the pandemic, and beyond
[10:28] – The rise of screen addiction and why setting boundaries isn’t anti-tech—it’s pro-learning
[13:26] – Including student voices: What focus groups revealed about phone policies
[16:45] – Middle school and high school student reactions to phone-free learning environments
[18:49] – Creative implementation strategies from different schools—no one-size-fits-all approach
[23:34] – How to help teens develop respectful and effective phone habits
[29:00] – Teaching students that even phones need recess—and how digital detox benefits us all
[35:23] – Are Chromebooks and other tech tools part of the problem too?
[38:57] – Social media, mental health, and why phones are only one piece of a bigger puzzle
[43:45] – Final thoughts on partnership, reflection, and the importance of revisiting regulations
Links & Resources:
Julie's website: https://www.julieyang.org/
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