A recent study has shown that the ban on mobile phones in Norwegian schools has led to significant improvements in girls’ academic performance and mental health.
The ban was implemented across middle schools in Norway. It has shown to have a particularly positive impact on girls from low-income families.
The study found that the ban significantly decreased the healthcare take-up for psychological symptoms and diseases among girls. It also noted a decrease in incidents of bullying.
In terms of academic performance, the ban has led to an increase in girls’ grade point averages.
Furthermore, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of girls attending academic high school tracks, as opposed to vocational schools.
The study, conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, combined detailed administrative data with survey data on middle schools’ smartphone policies.
The results suggest that banning smartphones from school could be a low-cost policy tool to improve student outcomes.
While the ban has been beneficial, it’s important to note that the impact of such policies can vary.
A review of global evidence for and against banning mobile phones in schools found mixed results.
Some studies identified a slight improvement in academic achievement when phones were banned, but this improvement only applied to disadvantaged or low-achieving students.
Despite the mixed global evidence, the positive impact of the phone ban in Norway provides a case for further research and consideration by policymakers.
