School and Smart Watches: What Parents Need to Know

Blink, and you’ll miss it! With smartphones, smart watches, and tablets creeping their way into classrooms, school districts around the country are instituting fast-changing tech policies that make it more difficult than ever to discern what’s allowed and what’s likely to be confiscated during the school day. Whether you’ve recently sprung for a smartwatch to stay connected with your kid at school or are considering getting one, it’s worth understanding why schools are cracking down on smart watches, how you can stay connected with your kid, and what to look for when shopping for a new device.

Why Schools Are Cracking Down on Smart Watches

Since cellphones first started making their way into classrooms in the mid-2010s, there’s been debate over their effect on learning, socialization, and safety. While the discussion continues, more schools than ever before have chosen to go phone-free in the past five years. According to Newsweek, 26 states have now mandated full “bell-to-bell” bans on phones in the schools, with others allowing varying degrees of phone usage.

Smartphone bans in schools are largely supported not just by state and district officials but by parents, too. A 2025 Pew Research study found that 74% of U.S. adults say they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, with the majority citing positive impacts on social skills, grades and behavior. And while safety remains top of mind for many parents, only 23% believed the ban would negatively impact safety.  

As support for smartphone-free school days increases, bans on other devices like tablets and smart watches have naturally followed. Because many of today’s smart watches are connected to the internet and can receive texts, calls, and app notifications, they often pose the same risks from distraction to a breach of academic integrity. 

What School Smart Watch Policies Actually Look Like

The rules around smartphone bans may vary from school district to school district, but a 2026 Brookings study reveals that nearly 98% of students attend a school with some form of ban. As bans grow and change, so does policy around devices. In a 2024 EdWeek survey of teachers, principals and district leaders, 40% said they believed smart watches posed a behavioral or disciplinary challenge, with 11% reporting a full ban in their schools and 30% considering adding one.

Trying to decide if smart watches are allowed in your school district? When browsing your child’s district handbook or technology policy, keep an eye out for messaging around full bans, exceptions and restrictions. Some school districts, like those in New York City, require any “internet-enabled” devices to be shut down or put away during the school day, while others, like Paulding County, Georgia, allow watches not used for communication or gaming to be worn during the school day.

How to Keep Your Child Connected Without Breaking The Rules

A smart watch can still help your child stay connected and safe at school, but you’ll need a plan that accounts for both your family’s needs and the school’s rules.

• Review your school’s policy and talk with administrators. Look for language covering smart watches, wearable technology, and other internet-enabled devices, not just cellphones. Contact your child’s teacher or front office with any questions, especially if your child may need a medical or safety-related exception.
• Talk with your child about appropriate use and expectations. Explain when the watch can be worn, where it should be stored, and what could happen if they use it during class. Make it clear that the watch is still there to keep them connected, but it should not interrupt the school day.
• Consider a device with School Mode or a similar setting. These settings can automatically limit calls, messages, notifications, or other features during scheduled school hours. Review exactly what the setting controls to make sure it aligns with your school’s policy.
• Create a family communication plan. Talk through what your child should do if they feel sick, miss their ride, or need help during the day. They should know when to go to a teacher or the front office and when contacting you through their watch is appropriate.

How Bark Can Help

Bark Watch was designed with schools in mind. Its School Mode lets parents schedule rules for school hours, including limits on texting, camera access, and which contacts kids can reach, while features such as location tracking and emergency SOS help parents stay connected when it matters most. Ready to make a move? Check out Bark’s suite of products.