A new NBER study reveals that schools enforcing a cellphone ban saw improved academic performance, fewer absences, and more engaged students—despite initial discipline challenges.

In an age when smartphones dominate nearly every aspect of life, a new study from Florida is shedding light on their impact inside the classroom. The research, conducted by economists and published as a working paper by the , finds that .

The study, titled “The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida,” analyzed data from a large urban school district that introduced a strict “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban. The results were striking: when students no longer had constant access to their devices, classrooms became calmer, and academic performance began to improve—especi

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