Helping students stay present, engaged, and ready to learn
In November 2025, Berkeley Unified updated the Mobile Communication Devices Policy to establish clearer expectations for student use of smartphones, smartwatches, and other personal mobile communication devices.
The resources below outline what students and families need to know about the policy, including expectations, responsibilities, exceptions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Why This Matters
We want every student to experience a school day with fewer distractions and more opportunities to learn, participate, build relationships, and be fully present. Research on student smartphone and mobile device use has raised important concerns about the effects of frequent notifications, interruptions, and access to personal devices during the school day on attention, learning, and student well-being.
This guidance is specifically focused on personal mobile communication devices. Our goal is greater clarity and consistency across our schools so that students know what is expected of them and families and staff know what to expect.
Families are encouraged to review and discuss this guidance with their child(ren) and consider whether personal mobile devices need to come to school at all. Devices brought to school can be lost, stolen, damaged, or used when they should be put away. Berkeley Unified cannot assume responsibility for personal devices students bring to campus.
BUSD students should leave personal electronic devices at home unless these devices are required for their health, safety or learning.
What are Personal Devices? 
Personal devices include:
- Cell phones and smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Earbuds and headphones
- Tablets
- Other personal connected or wearable devices
If a personal device is brought to school, it must follow the expectations below.
Preschool–8th Grade
Personal mobile devices must be turned off and put away for the entire school day and during all District programs (including before and afterschool programs).
Grades 9–12
Personal mobile devices must be turned off and put away during instructional time.
Students may use permitted devices at other times with a legitimate educational purpose and when permitted by their teachers.
Smart Glasses are not allowed on BUSD Campuses
Due to serious privacy and safety concerns, smart glasses are not permitted at any grade level. Please do not bring smart glasses to school or District programs, except when specifically authorized under an applicable exception.
Important Exceptions
A student may use a device when needed in an emergency or in response to a safety threat; with permission from a teacher or administrator; for an authorized health or medical need; or when required by the student’s IEP, 504 or other legally required accommodation.
What if a device is used when it shouldn’t be?
If a device is used when it should be off and away, a staff member may temporarily collect it or take other appropriate steps consistent with school and District expectations.
What if I need to reach my child during the school day?
Families can always contact the school office if they need to get an important message to their student during the school day.
If something is happening at school, the school will contact all parents/guardians through our new communication platform Parent Square. This allows us to get the information out through texts, email and calls.
How Families Can Help
Families play a critical role in helping students meet these expectations. The habits and messages students hear at home can make a significant difference in whether personal devices become a distraction during the school day.
Families can help by:
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- Setting the expectation at home that school is a time to be present, engaged, and focused on learning.
- Avoiding calls, texts, and messages to students during the school day. If you need to reach your child, please contact the school office.
- Reviewing the device expectations with your child and making sure they understand what “off and away” means at their school.
- Supporting school staff when expectations are reinforced. Consistent and united messages from home and school help students know what to expect.
- Talking with your child about responsible device use, including when and why it is important to disconnect.
- Considering whether a smartwatch, phone, or other personal mobile device needs to come to school at all.
- Consider your child’s age, maturity, and actual need for a personal device before deciding whether to provide one or send it to school.
- Develop healthy device habits beyond the school day by monitoring screen time and setting age-appropriate expectations for when, where, and how devices are used.
- Use parental controls and family settings to help manage screen time, app access, notifications, and when devices can be used. See this Common Sense Media resource for additional guidance.
If a personal device does come to school, please help your child remember:
Off. Away. Ready to learn.
When families and schools reinforce the same expectations, we create stronger conditions for students to be present, connected, and ready to learn.
Resources for Families:
- Supporting Your Family’s Digital Life: Health Professionals for Safer Screens – Health Professionals for Safer Screens
- Parents and Teens Talk Mobile Device Use – CommonSense Media
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls – CommonSense Media
- How do I monitor my kids’ cell phone use without seeming intrusive? – CommonSense Media
- Cell Phones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers – CommonSense Media
- 7 Ways Parents Can Help Teens Manage Phone Use – Center for Parent and Teen Communication
- Constant Companion: A Week in the Life of a Young Person’s Cell Phone Use – CommonSense Media
- SCREENS AND KIDS WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS? – Health Professionals for Safer Screens
