There have been lots of changes to the way schools and districts are dealing with student cell phone use. For example, Texas made it a requirement that public schools and charter schools prohibit phones during school hours. This also includes smartwatches and earbuds. Students who don’t follow these rules may face disciplinary action. Teachers could confiscate devices if they are caught on them during school hours.
Yondr pouches are one of the “hacks” that schools have used to try to prevent students from accessing their devices during the school day.
But just like other things that teachers and school do to try to curb student behavior, students are finding ways to “work around” the system. On media apps TikTok and Instagram, they show students around the world how they are opening their Yondr pouches with pencils, and some students are even buying their own magnets to open these pouches.
Costa Mesa students received these Yondr pouches on August 26, 2025. It’s been two months since students received their pouches. The main goal of the pouches is to help students be more focused on school and communicate with one another instead of being on their phones and playing games. The Hitching Post interviewed 8th graders Evelyn Orozco and Aracely Delgado, who received these pouches and had some things to say about them.
Hitching Post: How do you and your peers feel about not being able to check your phone throughout the day anymore?
Aracely Delgado: I feel furious that I can’t check my phone for the time anymore.
Hitching Post: Do you think the district could have used the money for something else? If so what is it.
Evelyn Orozco: I think the district could have used the money for something else, like field trips or more school events.
Aracely Delgado: I think the district could have used the money for more school activities.
Hitching Post: How did you feel about the Yondr pouch coming to our school?
Evelyn Orozco: At first I felt shocked because I didn’t think that the students’ phones were such a big deal at our school.
Aracely Delgado: I think the Yondr pouches are a waste of money because we could have just kept our phones off and inside our backpacks.
Hitching Post: Do you think the Yondr pouches helped the students be more social with one another?
Aracely Delgado: I believe that the Yondr pouches did not help students be more social with each other.
Hitching Post: Are there were any downsides to having the pouches or any challenges with them?
Aracely Delgado: I think the biggest downside of having these pouches is that I’m not able to contact my parents when needed.
Evelyn Orozco: The downside of having these Yondr pouches is that I don’t see students using them.
Hitching Post: Would you need your phone on you at all times throughout the school day?
Evelyn Orozco: I wouldn’t say I need it, but sometimes I do need my phone to contact my parents.
Aracely Delgado: Yes, because I need to check the time and text my mom when needed.
