For years, the debate over cellphones in schools has been fueled by strong opinions and anecdotal evidence. Now, a new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research provides the first causal evidence on the impact of these bans, and the results are a mixed bag.
The study, focusing on a large urban school district in Florida, found that implementing a bell-to-bell cellphone ban led to modest but meaningful improvements in student test scores in math and reading, particularly in the ban’s second year.
One of the biggest positive findings wasn’t just about test scores; it was about attendance. Researchers found unexcused absences decreased, and this simple factor—kids showing up to school more—was responsible for about half of the academic gains.
However, the study also highlights a serious equity concern. In the first year of the ban, student suspensions rose, with Black students being disproportionately disciplined. While this alarming trend corrected itself in the second year as students and staff adjusted, it points to a critical need for thoughtful and fair enforcement.
Furthermore, the academic benefits were not shared equally. The gains were larger for middle and high school students, boys, and white and Hispanic students, while the academic impact for Black students and female students was not statistically significant.
Ultimately, the research suggests that while cellphone bans can be an effective tool—backing up the “hunch” many educators have had—they are not a “silver bullet.” The policy can lead to palpable improvements in attendance and academics, but schools must be deliberate in how they implement these bans to avoid widening disciplinary gaps.
Key Points
- Modest Academic Gains: A new study of a large Florida school district found that bell-to-bell cellphone bans resulted in modest improvements in student test scores (about 1.1 percentile points) in the second year after the ban was implemented.
- Improved Attendance: The study found that unexcused absences decreased after the ban, and this improved attendance accounted for about half of the observed test score gains.
- Disproportionate Discipline: A significant downside emerged in the first year of the ban: student suspensions increased, disproportionately affecting Black students. This disciplinary gap largely disappeared by the second year.
- Uneven Academic Benefits: The test score gains were not uniform. Benefits were stronger for middle and high school students, boys, and white and Hispanic students. Academic gains for Black students and female students were not statistically significant.
- Causal Evidence: The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, is notable for providing causal evidence—not just correlation. It did this by comparing schools that had high cellphone use before the ban with those that had low use.
- Real-World Impact: In-school student phone usage dropped significantly after the ban. Anecdotal reports from principals (one cited in Chalkbeat) also point to improved school climate, fewer fights, and fewer students failing classes.