The Positive Impact of Cellphone Bans in Florida’s Schools
Bottom Line: Florida’s students are performing better in the classroom with cellphone restrictions in place. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed a positive impact in the classroom following the 2023 state law placing limitations on cellphone use in classrooms. The biggest benefits came in year two of the new state policy.
The study named: "The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida", investigated the effects of cellphone bans in Florida schools on student academic performance, disciplinary incidents, and bullying, leveraging a unique dataset from Florida’s public schools. As it turned out, there was across the board progress.
The researchers utilized administrative data from Florida’s public school system, covering student outcomes before and after the implementation of cellphone bans in various schools. The study used a “difference-in-differences" approach, comparing schools that adopted cellphone bans with those that did not, controlling for school and student characteristics. The data used included standardized test scores, disciplinary records, and bullying reports. The analysis focuses on the period when some Florida schools began implementing cellphone restrictions, offering a natural experiment to assess causal effects.
Academic Findings:
- Cellphone bans produced statistically significant improvement in student test scores. On average, schools with bans saw an increase in standardized test scores equivalent to approximately 10%
- The impact was more significant in middle schools than in high schools
- The gains were largest for students in lower-performing schools, students of low-income families, and those with special needs
Disciplinary Findings:
- Schools with cellphone bans reported a significant reduction in disciplinary incidents, including suspensions and expulsions. The study estimates a decrease of approximately 10–15% in such incidents, attributed to reduced distractions and fewer opportunities for technology-related misbehavior.
- The decline in disciplinary actions was consistent across grade levels but stronger in schools with higher baseline rates of misbehavior.
- Bullying incidents in schools with cellphone bans, with a reduction of 8%–12% in reported cases.
- The effect was more significant in middle schools
The study clearly evidences that cellphone bans in Florida schools led to meaningful improvements in student test scores, reductions in disciplinary incidents, and decreases in bullying. The policy has clearly been a win-win.