Landmark "Phones In Focus" Initiative Aims to Collect Evidence and Inform Effective School Cell Phone Policies

Public school educators invited to participate in 5-minute survey that will ultimately shape set of evidence-based recommendations for managing student cell phone use

PHILADELPHIA, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A nonpartisan group of academic researchers today launched a national survey that seeks to gather information from public school teachers, principals, and other school staff about cell phone policies and their impact on student achievement and well-being. The 5-minute survey is part of a broader initiative called "Phones in Focus," which aims to ultimately provide educators with evidence-based recommendations for managing student cell phone use ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.

"Phones in Focus" is led by Angela Duckworth, best-selling author and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with Stanford University economists Matt Gentzkow and Hunt Allcott.

"A recent poll shows most school leaders believe cell phones undermine academic performance, mental health, and student attention. And while many schools have put into place policies to restrict cell phone use, they've done so without adequate evidence of what actually works," Duckworth said. "Phones in Focus aims to change this by collecting insights from those closest to students and leveraging that data to create a roadmap for the future."

Phones in Focus launches as education leaders and policymakers are increasingly focused on cell phone usage in schools. In their 2025 state of the state addresses, at least 17 governors discussed the impact of cell phones, and state legislatures are increasingly mandating restrictions.

Despite this increased attention, the existing research on cell phone policies is surprisingly limited, with most studies relying on small sample sizes and cross-sectional data. As a result, current policies vary widely across the country, from complete bans to classroom-level management approaches.

The survey, which is now available at phonesinfocus.org, will collect data on these various policy approaches, including:

• Bell-to-bell bans with phones stored in the main office
• Partial bans permitting use during lunch and between classes
• Classroom-level management with teacher-determined rules
• "Away for the day" requirements
• Technology pouches that lock phones during school hours

Public school educators, including principals, teachers and other school personnel, who complete the survey will be entered to win cash prizes and donations to their school.

By matching survey responses to longitudinal data on academic outcomes, attendance, and school climate, researchers will identify which policies correlate with better results.

Phones In Focus will produce preliminary analyses in July to help inform evidence-based policies as schools prepare for the 2025-2026 school year.

"What we lose when we're on our devices so much is…human connection," shared American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who has made phone-free classrooms a top policy priority, at a recent conference.

Likewise, in an interview with Education Week, National Education Association President Becky Pringle emphasized, "Student mental health is a serious and growing concern for parents and educators, exacerbated by social media and personal-device use in schools."

"School cell phone policies aren't merely an administrative issue—they're about creating learning environments where students can thrive both academically and socially," Duckworth said. "It's time to let data, not just debate, guide this critical conversation. We encourage all public school educators to take just 5 minutes to complete our survey at phonesinfocus.org."

About Phones In Focus
Phones In Focus is a nonpartisan research initiative led by Angela Duckworth (University of Pennsylvania) in collaboration with economists Hunt Allcott and Matt Gentzkow (Stanford University). The project is funded through philanthropic support and aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for school phone policies that optimally support academic learning, healthy social relationships, and emotional well-being.

Visit phonesinfocus.org to take the quick 5-minute survey and contribute to this important research.

Media Contact:
Angela Duckworth
[email protected]

SOURCE Phones In Focus