We are parents, guardians, and students in Doha who wish to express concerns regarding the compulsory use of Yondr pouches in several international schools.

We fully acknowledge the importance of addressing issues such as vaping, smoking, truancy, and misuse of devices. At the same time, some members of the school community feel that requiring all students to lock away their phones for the entire school day may not be the most balanced or effective approach. The use of such systems can raise practical and financial concerns, including:

Redirecting attention and resources away from addressing behaviour issues in specific locations such as bathrooms or other unsupervised areas
Creating a perception of blanket restriction for students who generally use their devices responsibly
Limiting access to tools that may support learning or wellbeing, including translation aids, health-related apps, or communication with parents in certain situations
Introducing additional costs to schools, which may eventually result in higher fees for families
Families also have the ability to express views and raise questions. Qatar’s legal framework provides room for constructive, respectful communication:

The Constitution of Qatar recognises freedom of opinion and expression within the boundaries of the law
Individuals may direct feedback or concerns to institutions, including schools
Parents can ask questions about policies or expenses that affect their children’s daily experience, consistent with general consumer-protection concepts applicable in Qatar
International research offers mixed findings on the effectiveness of strict phone-restriction systems. Some studies indicate that responsible, supervised access to technology can support digital skills and future readiness. Other reports highlight that outcomes differ widely between schools and that the impact of phone-locking systems varies depending on implementation and student needs.

The intention of this statement is not to promote unrestricted device use. Rather, it is to encourage consideration of alternative approaches that many families believe may be more practical and supportive, such as:

Clear expectations for appropriate phone use, with consequences for misuse
Optional phone-parking arrangements
Enhanced supervision in areas where behavioural issues are more common
Strengthened wellbeing, counselling, and anti-vaping education initiatives
Our aim is to open a respectful, evidence-informed conversation about policies that affect students’ daily lives and educational experience. Many families simply wish to explore solutions that balance trust, safety, responsibility, and student wellbeing.

If you share these concerns, you may add your name in support of this statement.