A recent study conducted in Norway has shown that girls from low-income families are the most likely to benefit from the ban on cell phones in middle schools. The research, led by Norwegian public health researcher Sara Abrahamsson, found that the ban has resulted in improved mental health symptoms, higher grades and increased enrollment in high school among girls in Norway. Additionally, the study found that the ban on smartphones in schools has also led to a reduction in school bullying.
Abrahamsson’s research is part of a growing body of work warning about the dangers of excessive cellphone use among young people. American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt is one such researcher who has warned about the negative effects of smartphones on mental health.
The study looked at the effects of different cell phone policies implemented by individual schools in Norway. Abrahamsson found that when cell phones were banned from schools, there were significant improvements in girls’ mental health, grades and likelihood of applying to high school. The study also revealed that girls from low-income families were more likely to benefit from the ban.
Interestingly, simply silencing cell phones during school hours did not have the same positive effects as banning them entirely. This suggests that it may be necessary for schools to completely ban cell phones if they want to see significant improvements in their students’ well-being and academic outcomes.
Overall, this research highlights the importance of regulating smartphone use among young people to promote their overall well-being and academic success. It underscores the need for schools and parents to take a proactive approach to monitoring and controlling smartphone use among children and young people.