Pouches
Fosters digital self-regulation
Parents can contact students
School apps and sites remain accessible
Encourages lasting habits
Real-time monitoring of policy
Adjust the strictness of policy
Opal for Schools
“Bell-to-bell” phone bans don’t work.
Research (Lancet, 2025) shows that lock-up methods like pouches and cubbies fail to improve grades, wellbeing, or even reduce students’ overall screentime. Instead, kids binge after school and never learn the critical skill of digital self-regulation.
Over 500,000 students already choose Opal daily—for homework, family time, and better sleep. With Opal for Schools, educators get a calmer, more focused classroom and help students build self-regulation beyond school hours.
And it costs less than the old lock-up solutions.
A phone policy that benefits and empowers students, faculty, and parents alike.
Students love using Opal to take ownership of their phone use — creating real, lasting culture shifts at school and at home.
School admins have real-time metrics on the effectiveness of the phone policy, and how their students are progressing.
Only distracting apps like TikTok and Instagram are blocked. Parents can still text and call their children when needed.
When Harvard-Westlake wanted a better school phone policy, they partnered with Opal to lead the way.
After a successful pilot with student leaders — where students reported better mental health, stronger friendships, more sleep, and deeper focus — the school is now preparing for a full pilot of Opal schoolwide in Fall 2025.
By choosing Opal, Harvard-Westlake is setting a powerful example: schools can give students agency over their devices while still creating focused, supportive learning environments.
And they’re not alone—other schools are already following their lead.
"Opal gives us the ability to enforce a clear phone policy during school hours, while giving students the freedom to experience the benefits of focus and connection beyond the classroom."
Ari Engelberg
Head of Communications &
Strategic Initiatives
Harvard-Westlake School
Instead of punishing students with pouches, Opal empowers students to take control of their technology use - building habits that improve focus, mental health, and personal responsibility. It's smarter
Empower your students to thrive, connect, and focus — while giving your school a policy that truly works.
