Yondr
 | |
| Founded | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Graham Dugoni[1] |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
| Products | Yondr Pouch |
| Website | www |
Yondr is an American company that specializes in creating phone-free environments using its main product, the Yondr Pouch.[2] The pouch allows individuals to keep their phones with them while preventing use in designated phone-free spaces, such as schools, courthouses, and live event venues.[3][4][5] Founded in 2014 by Graham Dugoni, the company has expanded its services to 27 countries, with offices in London and Dublin.[6][7][8]
Yondr's pouches are generally used to reduce distractions in schools and workplaces and to prevent unauthorized photography or recordings at performances and private events. The company has also launched the Yondr Program, which includes its phone-free pouch system and event design solutions.
In 2023, the company launched its own outdoor music festival in Greenville, New York.[9]
Background
[edit]The concept for Yondr began in 2012 after founder and former professional soccer player, Graham Dugoni, attended the Treasure Island Music Festival and noticed audience members filming an intoxicated man dancing. This sparked his interest in how technology affects personal privacy and freedom of expression, leading him to explore ways to create more distraction-free environments.[citation needed]
Dugoni leaned on his interest in sociology, phenomenology, and the philosophy of technology and began experimenting with several options for the design of the Yondr pouch.[10][11]
Implementation of Yondr products
[edit]
Since its launch, Yondr has expanded to thousands of schools in 27 countries, with most of its business coming from educational institutions addressing concerns about cellphone use in classrooms.[12]
While initially focused on education, Yondr has expanded into various industries, including entertainment venues where artists seek to create distraction-free experiences, courtrooms aiming to maintain decorum, and corporate environments that value productivity and engagement. [13][14]
Yondr creates phone-free environments designed to limit distractions during learning. [15] Some studies and schools have observed changes in student attention and productivity following its use. [16]
In a 2023 podcast episode with Kara Swisher, Yondr founder Graham Dugoni highlighted that Yondr's focus is on creating 'phone-free spaces' where people can engage with each other without distractions.[17] He emphasized that these spaces are not about banning phones, but about promoting presence and improving the quality of interactions. [18]
In schools
[edit]Since 2014, Yondr has been implemented in schools to help create phone-free environments during school hours, promoting more focused and distraction-free learning experiences. [19] While the debate over phone use in schools continues, many educators and administrators find that Yondr provides a solution by fostering environments that reduce distractions.
While some students, parents and publications have raised concerns about the cost and complexity of Yondr, others have noted its effectiveness in creating phone-free learning environments. [20]
Following the implementation of Yondr pouches, schools such as Corona del Mar Middle School have reported a decline in fighting and other inappropriate behaviors, indicating a positive shift in student conduct. [21]
At Schoharie Public Schools, a Yondr partner district, administrators reported increased student engagement in conversations, more in-person conflict resolution, and higher elective enrollment following the implementation of phone-free school days. Some parents also noted changes in screen time management at home. [22]
In 2023 the US government spent $2.13 million on Yondr.[23] At the same time, some students who have Yondr implemented in their schools said they notice the benefits and support the use of Yondr in their school.[24] Schools have also reported increased academic performance, attention, and a decrease in fights and bullying.[20]
At concerts and shows
[edit]In 2019, the use of Yondr cases was reported in comedy and theater.[25] They have been utilized at concerts,[26] as well as during performances by comedians who aim to prevent their material from being leaked on YouTube and to keep their audiences focused, free from distractions.[27]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Statt, Nick (4 November 2014). "Phone-crazed audiences and fed-up musicians? Yondr is on the case Archived 2018-10-31 at the Wayback Machine". CNET. Accessed 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Yondr Pouch by Yondr (Focally, LLC) Archived 2019-01-05 at the Wayback Machine". EdSurge. Accessed 25 January 2018.
- ^ Smith, Tovia (11 January 2018). "A School's Way To Fight Phones In Class: Lock 'Em Up Archived 2019-01-17 at the Wayback Machine". All Things Considered. Accessed 30 May 2022.
- ^ Slater, Joanna (2024-05-01). "How a Connecticut middle school won the battle against cellphones". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Russon, Mary-Ann (4 December 2015). "Dave Chappelle using smartphone-locking case to stop audiences leaking stand-up routines online Archived 2019-01-06 at the Wayback Machine". International Business Times. Accessed 25 January 2018.
- ^ US patent 9819788, Graham Dugoni, "System and apparatus for selectively limiting user control of an electronic device", issued 2017-11-14
- ^ Megan Geuss (12 October 2014). "I let Yondr lock my smartphone in a sock so I could “live in the moment” Archived 2018-12-31 at the Wayback Machine". Ars Technica. Accessed 25 January 2018.
- ^ Edgers, Geoff (16 June 2016). "Alicia Keys is done playing nice. Your phone is getting locked up at her shows now". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "Yondr announces the second edition of its phone-free festival in New York". Archived from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Gregory, Alice (2018-01-16). "This Startup Wants to Neutralize Your Phone—and Un-change the World". Wired. Archived from the original on 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
- ^ Le, Anh-Minh (10 March 2020). "Phone Locks in a Time of Cancel Culture". Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Stokel-Walker, Chris (2024-10-30). "Yondr Pouch: the 200 Best Inventions of 2024". TIME. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
- ^ "More California schools are banning smartphones, but kids keep bringing them". AP News. 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ Mion, Landon (2024-08-04). "Virginia school district launches pilot no cellphone policy using magnetic pouch that blocks signal". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ Langreo, Lauraine (2023-10-16). "Cellphone Bans Can Ease Students' Stress and Anxiety, Educators Say". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "About". Yondr. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ May, Gabrielle (2025-01-30). "Does Going Phone-Free Actually Improve Human Connection?". Medium. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ PodScripts.co. "On with Kara Swisher - Put Your Phone Away: Yondr CEO on the Philosophy Behind Phone-Free Spaces Transcript and Discussion". podscripts. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ "Schools".
- ^ a b Chow, Andrew (2024-03-24). "Cell Phone Pouches Promise to Improve Focus at School. Kids Aren't Convinced". TIME. Archived from the original on 2024-05-05. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ "A magnetic pouch is key to enforcing school cellphone bans. Kids are getting around it". Los Angeles Times. 2025-03-24. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ^ Bellafante, Ginia (2025-03-21). "Who's Against Banning Cellphones in Schools?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ^ Jacobson, Linda (2023-12-13). "Exclusive: Sales Skyrocket for Phone Pouch Company as In-School Bans Spread". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Greenemeier, Larry (2015-05-08). "Smartphone Lock Pouch Leaves Students to Their Own (Unusable) Devices". Scientific American. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
- ^ Salam, Maya (November 2, 2019). "Louis C.K., Back on Tour, Looks to Accelerate His Comeback". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
- ^ "Damon Albarn disagrees with Bob Dylan over mobile phone gig ban". www.bbc.com. 19 July 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ Gregory, Alice. "This Startup Wants to Neutralize Your Phone—and Un-change the World". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2024-10-13.