A new school phrase is spreading fast: “bell-to-bell.” It means students cannot use their phones from the first bell in the morning to the last bell in the afternoon, even at lunch or during breaks. UNESCO says this is no longer a small trend: by the end of 2024, 79 education systems—about 40% of those it tracked—had laws or policies banning smartphones in schools. The Netherlands banned classroom phone use in secondary schools from January 2024 and extended the rule to primary and special schools in 2024-25. New Zealand’s “Phones Away for the Day” policy also keeps phones out of students’ hands throughout the school day, and Oklahoma signed a permanent statewide “Bell to Bell, No Cell” law on May 26, 2026. (unesco.org)
But does banning smartphones automatically raise academic performance? The newest evidence suggests: not always. A major 2026 NBER study of lockable phone pouches in U.S. schools found that strict bans clearly reduced phone use, but average effects on test scores were close to zero. High schools showed modest gains, especially in math, while middle schools saw small negative effects. The first year also brought some short-term disruption: disciplinary incidents rose and students reported lower well-being before later results improved. (ideas.repec.org)
Still, that does not mean phone rules are useless. Another NBER study, based on Florida’s statewide policy, found meaningful test-score gains in the second year, especially in schools where phone use had been high before the ban. New Zealand’s 2025 official review also reported better focus, improved behavior, and less bullying. However, it found a very important detail: the biggest benefits came in schools with clear rules, consistent enforcement, and support from teachers and families. (nber.org)
So the answer seems to be this: a phone ban can create better conditions for learning, but it is not magic. Phones may be part of the problem, yet higher achievement still depends on strong teaching, calm classrooms, and smart follow-through after the screens are put away. (evidence.ero.govt.nz)










