KNOXVILLE, TENN. — A study conducted in collaboration with the National Bureau of Economic Research found that classroom cell phone bans across thousands of schools reduced student phone use but produced no measurable gains in test scores or attendance. The research also found that suspensions increased shortly after the bans took effect.
The study, carried out by researchers from several major universities, examined the impact of phone restrictions in schools that had implemented such policies. It found that the policies cut down on student phone use, with the largest reductions occurring in schools that used Yondr pouches. Yondr pouches use powerful magnets to lock devices away during the school day, allowing students access to their phones only after classes end.
Despite the drop in phone use, the study showed no improvement in test scores after the bans were implemented. Attendance rates also showed no improvement following the policies. Researchers found no measurable difference in reported incidents of online bullying following the policies' adoption. Suspensions, however, rose shortly after the bans took effect, according to the study.
The findings come as states have moved to restrict phone use in classrooms. In 2025, Gov. Bill Lee signed a law banning cell phones during instruction time in Tennessee classrooms. The law left individual schools to decide whether students could keep their phones on them during the day or be required to lock the devices away. The Tennessee law applies during instruction time only, leaving schools to set their own rules for other parts of the school day.