We looked at all the recent evidence on mobile phone bans in schools – this is what we found
MOBILE phones are currently banned in all Australian state schools and many Catholic and independent schools around the country. This is part of a global trend over more than a decade to restrict phone use in schools. Australian governments say banning mobile phones will reduce distractions in class, allow students to focus on learning, improve student wellbeing and reduce cyberbullying. However, previous research has shown there is little evidence on whether the bans actually achieve these aims. Many places that restricted phones in schools before Australia have now reversed their decisions. For example, several school districts in Canada implemented outright…