Yondr is an American company founded by
Graham Dugoni in 2014.
[Gregory, Alice (16 January 2018). " This Startup Wants to Neutralize Your Phone—and Un-change the World, ]wired
''Wired'' (stylized as ''WIRED'') is a monthly American magazine, published in print and online editions, that focuses on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Owned by Condé Nast, it is headquartered in San Fra ...
. Accessed 30 May 2022.[Megan Geuss (12 October 2014).]
I let Yondr lock my smartphone in a sock so I could “live in the moment”
. ''Ars Technica
''Ars Technica'' is a website covering news and opinions in technology, science, politics, and society, created by Ken Fisher and Jon Stokes in 1998. It publishes news, reviews, and guides on issues such as computer hardware and software, sci ...
''. Accessed 25 January 2018. Yondr sells its products to households and leases them to schools around the world.
Background
Graham Dugoni, a former professional soccer player, founded Yondr after attending the
Treasure Island Music Festival
Treasure Island Music Festival is an annual two-day music festival. Prior to 2018, the festival took place on Treasure Island, California, located in the San Francisco Bay. In 2018, the festival moved to Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, located in O ...
in 2012. After witnessing an intoxicated man dancing and people filming him, he questioned the effects of technology on personal privacy and freedom of expression. Dugoni leaned on his interest in
sociology
Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of Interpersonal ties, social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of Empirical ...
,
phenomenology
Phenomenology may refer to:
Art
* Phenomenology (architecture), based on the experience of building materials and their sensory properties
Philosophy
* Phenomenology (philosophy), a branch of philosophy which studies subjective experiences and a ...
, and the
philosophy of technology
The philosophy of technology is a sub-field of philosophy that studies the nature of technology and its social effects.
Philosophical discussion of questions relating to technology (or its Greek ancestor ''techne'') dates back to the very dawn of ...
and began experimenting with several options for the design of the Yondr pouch.
Implementation in schools
Beginning in 2014, Yondr has been implemented in schools to address the issue with students being on their phones during school hours. It often has positive effects, however, not without controversy. The debate of whether students should be allowed access to their phones in school is a heated one. A 2024 poll taken by the National Parents Union found that more than 80% of parents supported the banning of phones in schools.
In contrast, TIME magazine reported significant pushback by parents and students, regarding Yondr as an expensive an overcomplicated solution to a simple problem.
Notwithstanding, in 2023 the US government spent $2.13 million on Yondr, a 52% increase over the previous year. At the same time, students who have Yondr implemented in their schools said they notice the benefits and support the use of Yondr in their school.
Schools have also reported increased academic performance, attention, and a decrease in fights and bullying.
Yondr has also been used by many large artists and comedians at their shows to get people to enjoy the show and live in the moment.
See also
*
Mobile phone jammer
A mobile phone jammer or blocker is a device which deliberately transmits signals on the same radio frequencies as mobile phones, disrupting the communication between the phone and the cell-phone base station, effectively disabling mobile phones wi ...
*
Mobile phone use in schools
The ''use of mobile phones in schools'' has become a controversial topic debated by students, parents, teachers and authorities.
People who support the use of mobile phones believe that these phones are essential for safety by allowing childre ...
*
Secret photography
Secret photography refers to the use of an image or video recording device to photograph or film a person who is unaware that they are being intentionally photographed or filmed. It is sometimes called covert photography.
A person may be unawa ...
References
External links
*{{Official website, www.overyondr.com
Manufacturing companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area
American companies established in 2014
2014 establishments in California
Smartphones
Mobile phone culture