We take student privacy seriously
As a company building technology for minors, nothing matters more than safety, security and privacy. Students deserve to feel empowered – not surveilled.
The Commons never collects or stores personal data.
- Passwords
- Search history
- Browser history
- Messages
- Social media accounts & more
Minimal data, maximum security
The Commons only uses non-invasive signals like time of day and presence within a school zone. This protects students’ privacy and supports healthy digital habits.
We comply with FERPA, COPPA and district technology policies, and follow best practices informed by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
For more details, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Commons is a behavioral science–backed app that helps schools create distraction-free learning environments without taking phones away. When students arrive on campus, their phones automatically shift into School Mode, blocking distracting apps while keeping essential tools available. It’s a simple, privacy-first solution that restores focus and connection.
The Commons uses a virtual boundary around the school so that when a device enters campus, it activates The Commons and distracting apps automatically deactivate.
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, more equitable, and gives administrators real-time visibility into compliance.
The Commons is easy to implement: students download the app, the school sets up its dashboard, and the system activates automatically when students are at school. Teachers do not need to collect phones or monitor device use. The app manages distractions in the background so teachers can stay focused on instruction.
The Commons works in K-12 traditional public schools, public charter, and private schools of any size. We support schools from 200 students to 4,000. Because it doesn’t require hardware and minimal ongoing support, it scales easily from small campuses to large districts.
Schools can approve specific apps for students who need them for medical, emergency, or academic purposes, and they remain functional during the school day.
We provide full onboarding, professional development for staff, and ongoing customer success support. Schools also receive communication templates and a digital citizenship curriculum to help integrate healthy device habits into daily life. Our team stays involved to ensure a smooth rollout and strong long-term results.
The Commons can reinforce a full bell-to-bell phone-free school or offer a balanced alternative. It ensures consistent enforcement without the burden of physical collection, while still giving students opportunities to build digital self-regulation skills. Schools choose the policy; The Commons helps make it work.
The Commons is grounded in behavioral science and digital-wellness research showing that lasting behavior change comes from autonomy, not strict restriction. 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.