No Direct Difference

Minimal Effects of Mobile Phone Ban in Schools

Implementing a mobile phone ban in schools results in minimal differences; more measures are needed to reduce excessive mobile phone use.

Ove Kaufeldt

Published 6 February 2025 - 09:22

It is a new study published in the publication The Lancet Regional Health that reveals that mobile phone bans in schools have no significant effect on students' grades or mental health. The study included 1227 students from 30 English schools equivalent to secondary and high school levels in Sweden.

In the survey, researchers studied how mobile phone use affected students' sleep, classroom behavior, physical activity, and screen time. The results showed no significant differences between schools with and without mobile phone bans. One detail that may point to a reason for the minimal difference in academic performance and well-being is that despite the ban, students in many cases continued to use their phones.

However, the study noted that increased mobile use in general can be linked to poorer mental well-being, reduced exercise, and lower grades among young people.

The study's lead author, Dr. Victoria Goodyear, says that the goal is not to oppose mobile bans, but that bans alone are not enough. She states that the focus must be on reducing the amount of time students spend on their phones, and that more must be done than just banning phones in schools.