Banning Smartphones at School

Recent research shows significant benefits of leaving the phone at home, and many other countries have already restricted cell phones at schools. What might compel you to consider doing the same?

Perhaps not so surprising, a 2021 study showed that 43% of students ages 8-12 own smartphones; they are everywhere. However, they are also associated with negative health outcomes and compromised well-being, which has led to 25% of countries around the world to impose bans on phones at school as reported in The 74. Key findings from research speak to the benefits of limiting access while at school:

• At the secondary level, students experienced lower anxiety and increased understanding of course content.
• Students who have recess engaged in more physical activity.
• Adolescents increased their frequency and intensity of activity (especially important considering a research study of 25,000 American teens — 20% of those teens who used screened devices more than 5 hours a day were 43% more likely to be obese than those who experienced less screen time).
• Absent cell phone use, students develop stronger, more meaningful relationships.
• Test scores increased significantly in schools where bans were put in place.
• Banning phones was the equivalent of adding an additional hour to each school week.
• Students were better able to ignore distractions and focus.
• Students who use phones less report experiencing higher satisfaction with life.
• Clinical professor at U of MI, Liz Kolb, “Bans do not stop bullying, harassment, FOMO [fear of missing out], feelings of depression or suicide, or accessing harmful content. So schools that ban cell phones need to be explicit about still addressing these issues, even if they are not seeing phones every day.

The article also discusses the challenges in banning cell phones and notes parent preference for their student to have a phone. Consequently, engaging parents in conversations is a key consideration when making decisions about cell phones.

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