More Americans now support school phone bans than ever before. Do they work? Locking up student phones leads to improved well-being but so far has minimal effect on test scores, writes @juliejargon.

Support for school cellphone bans is at an all-time high, with a recent Pew Research Center survey indicating that 48% of U.S. adults now back "bell-to-bell" bans for middle and high school students, a significant increase from 36% in 2024. This marks the first time more Americans support than oppose such a policy, with 43% still opposing. In-class bans see even higher support, with 77% of U.S. adults in favor, up from 68% in 2024.

While public support is growing, a large study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) provides mixed results on the effectiveness of these bans. The study, which analyzed data from approximately 4,600 schools using Yondr lockable phone pouches, found that bell-to-bell bans drastically reduced phone usage in schools. Teacher surveys showed the share of students using phones for personal reasons in class dropped from 61% to 13%, and GPS data indicated a substantial and persistent decline in device pings on campuses with bans.

The NBER study, conducted by scholars from Stanford, Duke, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania, revealed that the impact on academic achievement was minimal, with average effects on standardized test scores consistently close to zero over the first three years. Similarly, attendance, attention, and bullying showed negligible changes. However, the study did note an initial increase in suspension rates (around 16% in the first year) and a dip in student well-being, which both improved and became positive in subsequent years, suggesting long-term benefits for student well-being.

Demographically, support for all-day bans varies significantly. Only 28% of adults under 30 support these bans, compared to at least 50% of Americans aged 30 and older. Politically, Republicans show stronger support for all-day bans (55%) than Democrats (44%). This growing public support comes as more states enact such policies, with a 2025 Pew survey finding that majorities believed all-day bans would improve students' grades, social skills, and class behavior.