Study Examines Impact of All-Day Cellphone Ban in High School
Over the past year, the number of U.S. states restricting student cellphone use in schools has surged, from just a handful to more than half. While bipartisan support for such bans is growing, research into their actual effectiveness remains limited.
Teachers See Big Gains in Focus and Classroom Culture
Brigette Whaley, an associate professor at West Texas A&M University and former middle school math teacher, has spent the past year studying a high school in Texas that implemented a strict “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban using Yondr pouches.
Students were required to lock up their phones for the entire school day, but still had access to Chromebooks for educational use.
Whaley’s research, presented at ISTELive 25 + ASCD Annual Conference in San Antonio (June 29–July 2), focused on teacher feedback during the first year of the policy. The results were surprisingly positive:
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Improved Student Engagement: Teachers reported that students were more attentive and engaged in class.
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Fewer Classroom Management Issues: Disruptions decreased, and classroom culture became more human-centered and interactive.
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Reduced Student Anxiety: Without phones, students felt less pressure from social media and tech-related status competition.
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More Equitable Learning Environment: The absence of visible personal devices helped reduce social comparisons tied to wealth and tech access.
Challenges Remain: Enforcement and Consistency
Some teachers noted enforcement difficulties, particularly when faculty weren’t consistent. A few students attempted to circumvent the rules with burner phones or excuses. But overall, student compliance was strong, thanks to clear leadership and communication from school administration.
Conclusion
Consistency, strong leadership, and clear expectations are essential for phone-free policies to succeed. Whaley’s findings suggest that when implemented well, cellphone bans can meaningfully enhance student learning environments.
