Schools spend millions on Yondr pouches to store cellphones

Yondr sells fabric pouches that need to be unlocked with a special device at the end of the school day.

Many schools are making an effort to go phone-free after multiple studies found kids learn better, face less bullying and interact more with other students when they’re not distracted by the devices during class time.

The idea is getting traction. A recent NBC News poll found 79% of adults either strongly or somewhat support states’ adopting smartphone restrictions in schools.

But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some schools turned to Yondr, a company that sells fabric pouches that need to be unlocked with a special device at the end of the school day.

Students hold Yondr pouches at University High School Charter in Los Angeles on March 6.Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images fileYondr CEO Graham Dugoni said the pouches are used by about 2 million students in schools in all 50 states, at a cost of $30 per student for the pouch, training and support to start up the program.

“I think it’s an investment,” Dugoni said. “Every school is different. What we’ve learned how to do is get a community ready to go phone-free.”