We take student privacy seriously

The Commons is a privacy-first platform that helps schools automatically reduce digital distractions during the school day.

Think of it as Airplane Mode for Schools.

Schools set their phone policy, including when phones are limited and which educational, medical, accessibility, communication, or other approved tools remain available. The Commons™ automatically puts that policy into action based on the school’s schedule and campus zone, limiting distracting apps and websites such as social media, gaming and entertainment.

When a student needs access to their device, The Commons™ allows the utility without allowing the distraction.

The goal is simple: create more focused learning environments today while helping students build healthier technology habits for the future.

Check out our impact story and how The Commons works in this short video. 

The Commons automatically activates when a student's device enters a designated school campus and deactivates when they leave or the school day ends.

Using a virtual school boundary, The Commons automatically limits distracting phone use based on your school's policy. Districts can choose to fully restrict phone functionality or allow approved access to educational apps, phone calls, text messages, camera access, medical accommodations, and other approved resources.

Students keep their phones throughout the day, but distracting apps and websites are automatically unavailable while School Mode is active. Teachers don't have to collect devices, unlock pouches, or manage daily phone logistics, allowing them to stay focused on teaching.

For more information about how The Commons aligns with your state's student cellphone requirements, visit our policy overview + guidance page.

Unlike pouches or lockboxes, The Commons™ doesn’t require device collection or teacher enforcement. Students keep their phones, but distractions are blocked automatically, allowing them to practice self-regulation and decision-making. It’s more sustainable to run, and gives administrators visibility into compliance.

Want a side-by-side comparison? Read our guide: The Commons vs. Phone Pouches.

Each school can customize settings based on its policies and educational goals. 

The Commons can either fully block phone functionality or allow certain functions.

Commonly restricted categories include:

- Social media apps

- Gaming apps

- Entertainment platforms

- Streaming services

- Non-academic websites

No. The Commons™ does not track where students go or collect GPS coordinates or location history.

Your phone’s operating system determines when the device enters or leaves the school zone. The Commons™ receives only the entry or exit event and the time so it knows when to turn School Mode on or off. Neither The Commons™ nor the school receives GPS coordinates or movement history.

Schools can create exceptions for individual students based on medical needs, IEPs, 504 plans, accessibility accommodations, or other school-approved circumstances.

Districts maintain complete control over these exceptions while preserving consistent expectations for the broader student population.

This flexibility allows schools to meet student needs without creating additional daily work for teachers.

For how this aligns with your state's cellphone policy mandates, review our state-specific policy overview + guidance page.

Schools receive notifications when required settings are removed or when a device is no longer participating.

Each school determines how it addresses non-compliance according to its student handbook and device policies. 

The Commons does not replace the school’s policy; it is a tool to help support its implementation.

The Commons™ is informed by behavioral science and digital-wellness research emphasizing autonomy, clear boundaries and opportunities to practice healthier technology habits. By removing addictive triggers while preserving student agency, the app supports healthier habits and more focused learning. It’s a modern approach to a modern challenge.

The Commons can support schools in implementing state and local student cellphone policies by applying school-defined restrictions while preserving approved exceptions. The Commons also provides implementation support and digital citizenship tools to further align with state digital literacy mandates.

For a more in-depth look on how we align to various state policies check out our policy hub: https://policyhub.the-commons.app/ 

If you don't see your state and want more information, let us know! support@the-commons.app 

The Commons™ collects only the limited information needed to provide and support the service. This may include school-provided information such as a student’s name, school email, student ID and grade level, along with limited operational and technical information needed to determine whether The Commons™ is active and working as expected.

The Commons™ does not collect or access personal content from a student’s device, including passwords, messages, photos, contacts, search or browsing history, social media content, or GPS location history.

Student information is never sold or used for advertising or commercial profiling.

We know the language phones use around location and VPN permissions can sound confusing, so here’s what they actually do.

Location: Your phone’s operating system determines when the device enters or leaves the school zone. The Commons™ receives only the entry or exit event and the time so it knows when to turn School Mode on or off. We do not receive GPS coordinates or movement history.

That's also why your phone may tell you The Commons has been using your location. Your phone uses its location functionality to monitor the school geofence. The Commons does not receive GPS coordinates or movement history. We receive only when the device enters or leaves the school zone, and the time, so School Mode can turn on or off.

VPN: The VPN helps enforce the school’s policy by limiting access to restricted websites and online services during the school day. It does not allow The Commons™ to read messages, view photos or contacts, or collect browsing history.

School administrators can see limited information needed to manage their Commons™ program, including whether a student is paired and actively participating, whether required settings are enabled, and whether the app is communicating as expected.

Administrators cannot see a student’s GPS location or location history, messages, photos, contacts, browsing history, or personal content on their device.

The Commons™ uses multiple safeguards to protect student information, including encryption, access controls, security monitoring and independent third-party security testing.

Access to student information is limited to authorized personnel, and anyone with access is required to complete Student Data Privacy Training. We follow security practices informed by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and maintain technology errors & omissions and cyber liability insurance.

The Commons™ also enters into Data Privacy Agreements with schools and districts that establish contractual requirements for how student information is handled and protected.

Yes. The Commons™ undergoes independent third-party security testing to identify potential vulnerabilities and strengthen our security practices. Our most recent assessment was completed in June 2026 by an independent security professional specializing in web application, mobile and cloud security, with advanced Offensive Security certifications including OSCE3, OSEP, OSWE and OSED.

The assessment included The Commons™ mobile applications, administrative dashboard, backend infrastructure and cloud environment.

Like most technology companies, The Commons™ works with a limited number of trusted service providers to operate our platform, including infrastructure hosting, authentication, school roster integrations, operational communications, notifications and technical performance monitoring.

We limit the information shared with each provider to what is necessary for that service and require appropriate privacy and security protections.

View our current Subprocessor List

Student information is used only to provide services authorized by our school partners. If a school's relationship with The Commons™ ends, student information is returned or securely deleted in accordance with our agreement with the school and applicable student privacy requirements. If The Commons™ undergoes a change in ownership, our contractual obligations related to student data continue to apply, including protections governing how that data may be handled.