The use of smartwatches, smart glasses and wireless earbuds during class time will be prohibited at Palo Alto High School starting Monday, according to a statement released by administrators Thursday afternoon.

Smart glasses, such as Meta Glasses, are now classified as “Mobile Communication Devices” and are strictly prohibited due to academic integrity and privacy concerns, according to the statement.

Students may continue to bring personal laptops to school as long as they are used for approved educational tasks. However, “mirroring” text or iMessages to personal laptops is a violation of Palo Alto Unified School District’s Board Policy 5131.8, which states that high school students may only use smartphones or other mobile communication devices on campus during noninstructional time.

The shift marks Paly’s transition to the new “Off and Away during Instructional Time” standard, which means that smartphones and all wearable tech must be stored in designated classroom areas or student backpacks during class periods, tutorials and Advisory sessions. 

“Our primary goal remains fostering a ‘Focus-First’ environment that prioritizes student mental health, face-to-face connection and deep academic engagement,” the Paly administration stated in a ParentSquare community update Thursday afternoon. 

California’s Phone-Free Schools Act requires school districts to adopt a policy to limit or prohibit the use of smartphones at school by July 1. In compliance with the requirement, PAUSD developed Board Policy 5131.8, which was enforced at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.