Study Finds Phone Bans in Schools Fail to Boost Grades, Mental Health

A study from the University of Birmingham has revealed that banning mobile phones in schools does not lead to improved academic performance or mental well-being among students. The research, which surveyed 1,227 students across 30 secondary schools, found no significant differences in sleep, exercise, or academic outcomes between schools with phone bans and those without. Instead, it noted that increased screen time is linked to poorer mental health, lower grades, and disruptive classroom behavior. Lead author Dr. Victoria Goodyear emphasized that school phone bans alone are insufficient to address the negative impacts of phone use; a more holistic approach is needed. The findings come as the UK Education Secretary rejected proposals for a new law to ban phones in classrooms, labeling such measures as ineffective gimmicks. The study calls for a comprehensive strategy to manage adolescent phone use both in and out of school settings.