By Russell York, Cosmo Founder & CEO
Across the country, more and more schools are implementing phone bans and personal device policies in classrooms - and in some cases, across entire campuses. The goal is well-intentioned: help students focus, reduce distractions, and encourage more face-to-face interaction.
At Cosmo, we understand the reasoning. Digital distraction is real, and our kids need environments that nurture learning. But there’s another truth that’s just as important: children are some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and they deserve a safe, reliable way to connect with the people who care about them the most.
The Problem with “All or Nothing”
For educators, the constant presence of smartphones in classrooms can feel like a daily uphill battle. Early reports from schools that have removed phones from classrooms show promising results: increased focus, better participation, and improved learning outcomes. We applaud these efforts - not just for the immediate benefits to students, but for the way they affirm the value of creating intentional learning spaces. Which is exactly why we believe the answer lies in purpose-built devices that allow for essential connection families need, while eliminating the pull of distraction altogether.
When schools adopt blanket bans on devices, they often remove the intended distractions, but unfortunately also essential points of family connection and even critical lifelines. For many families in the 21st century, a personal device isn’t just a source of entertainment — it’s a tool for safety, reassurance, and connection.
The reaction we’re seeing to smartphones and social media in the hands of kids is understandable – and important! But in a reactionary push, we can’t pretend that zero connection is the only answer. In a world where parents can track their keys and luggage more effectively than they can track their children, it’s just common sense for parents to want a simple line of distraction-free connection with their kids.
Emergencies happen. Schedules change. A quick check-in from a parent can make the difference between anxiety and calm for a child. In an age where communication tools are everywhere, removing all access can leave kids feeling isolated and parents feeling powerless.
Connection + Focus: Why It Doesn’t Have to Be a Trade-Off
That’s why we do what we do here at Cosmo. And it’s why we’ve developed our JrTrack 5 Kids Smartwatch with families and schools in mind. Our goal was simple: give kids the connection they need, while giving parents and educators the focus and boundaries they want.
The JrTrack 5’s Focus Mode allows families to set schedules that automatically lock down non-essential features during class time (or any other time) - eliminating distractions while still keeping essential communication tools available.
Here’s how it works:
- Custom Schedules: Parents can set school-day hours with Focus Mode and flexibly adjust settings to eliminate distractions in just the right way, from bell to bell or any other time of the day.
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Focus mode: With the Cosmo JrTrack 5, parents can select from two modes to limit distractions.
- Partial lockdown enables the child to still communicate via call and text with the main account holder, as well as activate SOS, but locks all other functions.
- Full lockdown Focus Mode places the device into complete lockdown aside from telling time and allowing the child to activate an SOS alert.
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Seamless Transitions: Children receive an alert 5 minutes before a scheduled Focus Mode begins and once school is over, features return automatically - no need for kids or teachers to manage settings manually.
Supporting Schools, Empowering Families
We believe technology should adapt to the needs of children - not the other way around. The JrTrack 5 is designed to complement school policies, not undermine them. Teachers can rest assured that distractions are minimized, while parents have peace of mind knowing their child can reach them when it matters most.
The conversation about school phone bans shouldn’t just be about removing devices. It should be about reshaping technology to be safe, intentional, and age-appropriate - protecting kids’ ability to connect without compromising their ability to learn.
Our Commitment
At Cosmo, our mission is to create family-first tech that empowers real-life childhoods. That means giving kids freedom to explore, learn and focus in the classroom, while keeping them connected when it counts.
Because in the moments when a child needs to hear a parent’s voice, there should always be a way.
Russell York, Cosmo Founder & CEO
