Office Depot Is Working To Keep Phones Out Of The Classroom

In a somewhat unique move, Office Depot is planning to reward college students for their “mobile abstinence” during classes.

In order to do this, Office Depot has formed a partnership with Pocket Points, a mobile app that rewards students when they ignore their phones during classes.

The app works by letting students lock their phones while on campus to earn points that can then be redeemed either directly through the app or online at OfficeDepot.com on things like dorm and school supplies.

Office Depot is the first office supply retailer to partner with the app, the office supply retailer said in a statement announcing the partnership.

“Office Depot’s exclusive partnership with Pocket Points furthers our commitment to finding new and innovative ways to help students utilize technology to succeed in the classroom,” Diane Nick, senior vice president of marketing for Office Depot, said in a statement. “This is a win-win for users of the app and our company to reach students on this popular platform. In addition to helping students maintain good classroom habits throughout the year, Office Depot wants to provide them with access to savings on the gear they need to succeed.”

A recent study by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that college students are so “obsessed” with their phones that they check them a minimum of 10 times a day, which can lead to distractions while in class or while trying to study for a test.

“Pocket Points’ mission has always been to provide value to students and merchants. This partnership will enhance the experience on all fronts,” Mitch Gardner, Pocket Points cofounder and CEO, said in a statement.