Philadelphia school works to enforce cellphone ban as students head back to class

As students head back to class across Pennsylvania, schools are facing a new challenge: keeping cellphones out of students' hands during the school day.

While it was never signed into law, a state senate bill from last year requires schools to restrict students' access to cellphones during the school day, part of a growing effort to reduce classroom distractions and concerns about social media and technology.

New Jersey banned phones in the classroom, starting with this school year.

At Belmont Charter Elementary and Middle School in Philadelphia, Principal Aquila Waller says her school didn't wait for the state mandate. Three years ago, the school began using Yondr pouches to hold students' devices.

"Our students as young as 6 years old come in with cellphones or smart watches or iPads," Waller said. "Unfortunately, it creates a distraction throughout the day."

When students arrive at Belmont, they place their phones and other devices inside a Yondr pouch, which locks while remaining with the student throughout the school day.

"We take out our Yondr pouch and their cell phone goes in, push it down and it locks," Waller said.

Students regain access to their devices at dismissal by tapping the pouch against an unlocking device. They take their phones home, while the pouches remain at school.

And students have tested the system.

When CBS News Philadelphia asked Waller whether students have ever tried to break into the pouches, she said they have.

"We've had students try to break in, tap it on a desk, but it does not open," Waller said.

Belmont has nearly 600 students and provides a pouch for each one. At roughly $30 per pouch, the cost can quickly add up — particularly for larger districts serving thousands of students.

But Waller believes schools are already paying another price because of students' access to technology and social media.

"A lot of the challenges we are trying to repair with our students come from the misuse of social media and technology," she said.

Philadelphia School District officials told CBS News Philadelphia that schools are responsible for determining how students' devices will be secured during the school day.

For some parents, restricting access to phones also raises a practical concern: How do they reach their children during an emergency?

Waller said some Belmont families initially had similar concerns, but the school works directly with parents to address them and make sure families understand how they can reach their children during the day.

At Belmont, the phones come back out at dismissal. Students unlock their pouches, grab their devices and head home.

Waller sends them off with one final piece of advice:

"Have a good day, use social media responsibly and stay off the group chats."