Researchers from the University of Birmingham have found that restricting smartphone and social media in schools does not lead to lower overall phone use, nor better mental health and wellbeing, or other health and educational outcomes in adolescents. Now, thanks to alumni philanthropy, the team are advancing their research findings, engaging school leaders, local authorities, parents and industry representatives in the creation of actionable policies and practices.
A recent study led by the University of Birmingham has found that restrictive school phone policies do not lead to significant improvements in mental health, wellbeing, physical activity, sleep, or educational outcomes. Published in Lancet Regional Health Europe, this landmark study found that banning smartphones in schools does not significantly improve students' mental health or wellbeing.
The study, involving 1,227 students from 30 schools in England, revealed no notable differences in mental wellbeing, anxiety, depression, physical activity, sleep, or educational attainment and levels of disruptive classroom behaviour between schools with restrictive phone policies and those without.
While phone bans did reduce usage slightly, the overall impact was minimal. The research found that higher phone and social media use in adolescents is associated with worse mental health and wellbeing – and researchers suggest that addressing phone use both in and out of school is crucial in tackling these negative impacts.
Dr Victoria Goodyear, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and lead author of the study, said: ‘This is the first study of its kind to evaluate the impact of school phone policies on adolescent mental health and wellbeing, and other health and educational outcomes.
‘We did find a link between more time spent on phones and social media and worse outcomes, with worse mental wellbeing and mental health outcomes, less physical activity and poorer sleep, lower educational attainment and a greater level of disruptive classroom behaviour.
This suggests that reducing this time spent on phones is an important focus. But we need to do more than focus on schools alone, and consider phone use within and outside of school, across a whole day and the whole week.'
This suggests that reducing this time spent on phones is an important focus. But we need to do more than focus on schools alone, and consider phone use within and outside of school, across a whole day and the whole week.
Dr Goodyear and her research team intend to build upon their findings, with the launch of a new research programme later this year. The SPPP (School Phone Policies and Practices) Study will seek to co-develop new recommendations for school phone policies and practices, to develop healthy phone and social media use in children. The team aim to identify priority action areas, pinpoint those responsible for implementing changes and establish the types of resources that are needed for intervention.
The research will provide an evidence-based starting point for schools and policy makers to take action to effect positive changes to school phone policies and practices.
Dr Goodyear adds: ‘We anticipate that if the findings from the SPPP study are taken forward by policy makers and wider school and industry stakeholders, our findings will lead to improvements in children and young people’s overall health and wellbeing.’
Alumni David Gill (BCom, 1978; Honorary Degree, 2011) and Vicky Gill (BA Geography and Physical Education, 1978) have supported this next phase of the project with a generous donation, which will fund the research team led by Dr Amie Randhawa and enable the work in this vital area to continue.
David says: ‘The University has, quite rightly, under Dr Vicky Goodyear’s leadership developed an excellent reputation, both in this country and overseas, for high quality, important and relevant work in this very complex area.
‘The challenge and balance between the benefits and concerns around smartphones and social media is not clear but unless we address the issues we will fail to come up with policies that benefit society.
‘We are therefore delighted to play a small part in supporting this new research and look forward to seeing the results in due course and, most importantly, courses of action and policy to harness the benefits of smartphones.’