LONDON (Enmaeya News) — A study by the University of Birmingham has found that banning smartphones in schools does not significantly improve students' academic performance, mental well-being or classroom behavior.

Published in The Lancet’s European health policy journal, the study compared 1,227 students across 30 secondary schools in England. Researchers found no notable differences in sleep, physical activity or overall phone use between schools with and without smartphone bans.

However, the study did find that excessive smartphone and social media use was linked to lower academic achievement, poorer mental health and increased disruptive behavior in class.

Lead researcher Dr. Victoria Goodyear said that bans alone are not effective and called for broader strategies to reduce overall screen time. The issue remains divisive, with some parents and schools reporting benefits from strict phone policies, including reduced bullying and improved social interaction.

Government officials and policymakers are continuing to debate potential regulations, including age-based restrictions on smartphone access.