Every teacher has a phone policy. Fewer teachers have one they can enforce on a Thursday afternoon in March without starting a fight.
The problem usually isn't the rule. It's that the rule depends on the teacher noticing, deciding, and confronting a student in front of everyone, over and over.
Decide where phones live
"Put it away" is vague. Away where? In a pocket, it's one buzz from being back out. Pick a physical place and make it part of the routine: a pocket chart by the door, a basket on each table, or face-down in the top corner of the desk.
Whatever you pick, students should put phones there as part of walking in, the same way they pick up the bell ringer.
Make the consequence boring
A good consequence is small, predictable, and the same every time. First reminder is a quiet tap on the desk. Second time, the phone goes to the basket for the rest of class. That's it. No speech, no debate.
The less drama the consequence has, the less there is for a student to push back against.
Teach the exceptions up front
Some students will need their phones: medical apps, family situations, an approved accommodation. Handle those privately and early so nobody thinks the rule is unfair when they see an exception.
Give phones a job sometimes
If phones are only ever the enemy, students will treat every phone moment as a win. Occasionally build them into the lesson: a quick poll, photographing their notes, looking up a source together. "Phones out for two minutes, then back in the basket" makes the routine stronger, not weaker.
Reward the room, not just the rule
Recognition works better than punishment for most teenagers. A whole-class reward for a phone-free week costs nothing and gives students a reason to remind each other. See Whole-Class Rewards for simple ideas.
Further reading
For the full debate, read Cell Phones in the Classroom: Pros and Cons at Elevate the Norm. Then write your policy on one index card. If it doesn't fit on a card, it's too complicated to enforce.
Want it ready to print?
Everything above is free. If you’d rather skip the prep, my TPT store, Teacher Emergency Toolkit, has ready-to-use resources for grades 6–12. Start with Classroom Management & Behavior or SEL & Team Building, and check the Free Resources section first.