A recent study conducted in Norway has revealed that girls from low-income families are the most significant beneficiaries of the ban on cell phones in middle schools. According to research by Sara Abrahamsson from the Department of Public Health, the ban has resulted in a reduction of mental health symptoms and an improvement in grades for girls. Additionally, girls from low-income and poorly educated families have shown increased enrollment in upper secondary school after the ban was introduced.
The study also found that overall school grades improved and school bullying decreased as a result of the ban, which was also effective for boys. However, it is important to note that this research is still undergoing peer review.
Norway does not have a national ban on cell phones in schools, but individual schools have the authority to implement bans on their own. Abrahamsson studied schools that had implemented such bans and found that visits to health professionals for mental health issues decreased significantly among girls. Grades improved slightly, and the likelihood of girls applying to high school increased if the school had a cell phone ban in place.
The study also showed that girls use mobile phones more than boys, which may explain why they benefit more from the ban. Children from low-income families also showed improved results, indicating that smartphones can be a distraction, especially for this demographic. The type of ban, whether phones were completely banned or students had to hand them over during school hours, had varying effects on learning outcomes and mental health. Silencing phones seemed to have a positive impact on students.
In conclusion, while smartphones can be useful tools for communication and education, they can also have negative effects on young people’s mental health if used excessively. The findings of this Norwegian study suggest that implementing bans on cell phone use in middle schools can improve learning outcomes and reduce negative impacts on mental health for both girls and boys.
It is worth noting that other studies have also supported claims about the negative effects of excessive smartphone use among young people globally. American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has warned about these dangers in his work.
Overall, while there is ongoing debate about whether banning cell phones altogether is necessary or effective, this study provides evidence supporting at least some limitations on their use during school hours.
