The Education Exchange: Why Cell Phone Bans Are Good for Students, Teachers

David Figlio and Umut Özek released a study on June 8, 2026, examining the impact of cell phone bans in Florida schools. The research, published on the Education Next website, is the first to analyze a state-level cell phone ban in the United States. Figlio, the Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education at the University of Rochester, discussed the findings with Paul E. Peterson, director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University, on The Education Exchange podcast. The study, titled "Can Banning Cell Phones Save Student Learning? Evidence from Florida," investigates whether removing cell phones from classrooms improves student learning and reduces social isolation. Florida was the first state to implement a statewide mandate for cell phone restrictions in schools. The researchers aimed to provide empirical evidence on a phenomenon that is relatively new and has not been extensively studied. The findings are intended to inform ongoing debates and policy decisions regarding cell phone usage in educational settings across the nation. The study's methodology and specific results regarding academic performance and student interaction were detailed in the discussion.