Whether in schoolyards or in classrooms, cellphone use is widespread in schools. The extent of the phenomenon has prompted some establishments to impose smartphone bans - a decision which, according to a Norwegian study, is beneficial for pupils.

In Norway, as in other countries, cellphones are not strictly forbidden in schools. In theory, they should remain switched off in bags during lessons, but this isn’t always the case. That’s why some Norwegian schools have decided to take a tougher stance by banning smartphones altogether.

Sara Abrahamsson, a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, reports on the effects of these bans on students' well-being and academic success in a recently published research paper. It turns out that banning phones from schools is proving highly beneficial for young girls especially.

Female students in schools with phone bans had less need for care from GPs or specialists for psychological disorders than those who attend schools where smartphone use was tolerated. It may therefore be concluded that this measure contributes to their mental well-being.

Similarly, banning cellphones from schools seems to have a positive impact on girls' academic success. Abrahamsson found that the students concerned tended to achieve better grades, particularly in mathematics.

They were also more inclined to take courses of study reserved for students with more advanced levels, suggesting that “banning smartphones leads to an improvement in girls’ midterm educational outcomes”.

Surprisingly, this measure does not seem to have the same effect on boys. Their psychological well-being and academic performance did not seem to be directly affected by the banning of smartphones in Norwegian schools. However, the researcher found that the incidence of bullying decreased for both girls and boys in schools with phone bans.

Overall, Abrahamsson claims that the findings of her study suggest that “banning smartphones from the classroom is an inexpensive tool with sizable effects on students' mental health and educational outcomes”.

While the researcher doesn't give a precise reason for this phenomenon, it is possible that it could be due to the effects of smartphones on concentration. Young people can become distracted by the presence of their phone in their pocket or bag, and find it difficult to concentrate on their lessons.

But it seems that some students are affected more by this than others. Research from the London School of Economics' Centre for Economic Performance from 2015 claims that struggling students are more likely to be distracted than those getting good grades. As such, banning phones could potentially reduce inequalities at school, according to the study authors.

 - AFP Relaxnews