(ANN/THE STAR) – A recent meta-analysis of international research suggests that prohibiting smartphone use in schools significantly enhances students’ social well-being. The study, led by Professor Klaus Zierer of the University of Augsburg in Germany, found that students enjoy school more and interact more positively with peers when phones are not permitted.
“The children feel better and enjoy school more because they talk and play with each other during breaks,” said Zierer, co-author of the analysis published in Education Sciences, a journal based in Switzerland. The study compiled data from Norway, Sweden, Spain, England, and the Czech Republic.
In addition to fostering social interactions, banning smartphones in schools creates a safe space against cyberbullying, a concern when students access social media during school hours. “A smartphone ban makes school a safer environment by reducing the risks of cyberbullying,” Zierer added.
While the analysis indicated a potential positive effect on academic performance, Zierer cautioned that this was challenging to measure. “A smartphone ban alone won’t directly improve learning,” he noted, but it does help minimise distractions, allowing students to focus better during class.
Zierer advocates for a complete smartphone ban in primary schools but believes that as students mature, they should be gradually encouraged to exercise personal responsibility and media literacy. “The key is to oversee the ban in a way that it becomes less restrictive over time, eventually making checks unnecessary,” he said.
