Banning smartphones in schools may help reduce some administrative burdens, but it does not appear to bring significant improvements to students’ mental health or overall well-being, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.
Schools in many countries have introduced stricter rules on phone use, hoping to limit distractions, improve classroom behavior and create a better learning environment. However, researchers say the evidence remains unclear. Previous studies have shown that restrictions can reduce smartphone use during lessons, but their impact on students’ sleep, academic results and mental health has been difficult to confirm.
A research team led by Samuel J. Perry from the University of Birmingham analyzed smartphone policies in 20 secondary schools in England, involving 815 students between the ages of 12 and 15. Thirteen schools had strict rules banning recreational phone use during the school day, while seven allowed students to use phones in certain situations or locations.
The researchers examined the financial impact of both approaches, focusing on the amount of staff time spent enforcing the rules. This included monitoring students, recording violations, contacting parents and applying disciplinary measures. Student outcomes were assessed through two health-related indicators measuring quality of life and mental well-being.
