Research Brief: Strengthening Cellphone Policies to Support Student Learning and Well-Being

The UC|CSU Collaborative partnered with the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools to produce a new research brief titled “Strengthening Cellphone Policies to Support Student Learning and Well-Being.” This brief translates the latest developmental science research and policy trends into clear recommendations to help K-12 leaders design age-appropriate, equitable policies around cellphone use in schools. 

What the Research Shows

The research indicates that while cell phones are central to students’ lives, offering opportunities for learning and connection, they also raise concerns around attention, stress, and safety in schools. Key findings include:

• Divided attention and cognitive load: Non-instructional phone use in classrooms can disrupt focus and learning since attention and executive function systems are still developing.
• Well-being and social-emotional impacts: Cellphones can both support and harm youth mental health, depending on how they’re used.
• Equity and differential impact: Policy implementation and enforcement often vary, raising concerns about equity and accessibility for students who rely on devices for learning.
• Policy variability across jurisdictions: Schools in the U.S. vary dramatically from all-day bans to restricted instructional use.

Recommendations for Practice and Policy

Grounded in developmental science, the brief offers evidence-based recommendations for education leaders to craft policies that promote healthy, equitable, and effective technology use:

1. Align policy with developmental needs: Recognize how self-regulation, attention, and socio-emotional development evolve across childhood and adolescence. Match phone rules to age, with stricter limits in middle school and more flexibility for older students.
2. Promote equitable implementation: Ensure that policies are not applied in ways that inadvertently disadvantage certain student populations.
3. Educate alongside restrict: Pair restrictions with digital citizenship education to support students in building healthy digital habits, attention management, and self-regulation skills.
4. Engage students, families, and educators: The effectiveness of any policy depends on stakeholder buy-in, clear communication, and shared responsibility.
5. Monitor and iterate on policies: Establish clear exceptions (e.g., for students who need assistive devices or connectivity for learning), build mechanisms for monitoring practice and outcomes, and be prepared to adjust.

Why This Matters

Thoughtful, research-informed policymaking can help schools strike a balance for all students–leveraging cellphones as tools for learning and connection while still protecting focus, well-being, and safety across diverse classrooms and communities. By aligning with students’ developmental stages, learning needs, and essential access for communication or support, such policies can strengthen learning environments and foster healthy digital habits so all students can thrive.

Press Coverage

• “New Research Brief Shines Light on School Cellphone Policies and Practices” from UCLA School of Education and Information Studies
• “Report: Cellphone polices should be flexible, help build healthy phone habits” from EdSource
• “Should we all start locking up our phones?” from NPR
• “Roseville high schools report progress on cellphone restrictions” from Abridged
• “Would banning cell phones in California schools do more harm than good?” from KTVU Fox Channel 2 News
• “Why a good cellphone policy is about more than just restrictions” from Education Week
• “Sacramento area schools clamp down on phones, ahead of state deadline” from Abridged

Next Steps

School and district leaders across California and beyond can access the full brief and executive summary via the resource hub, Arraya Learning. Download the brief, share it with your teams, and start the conversation about strengthening cellphone policies in your community.

The UC|CSU Collaborative remains committed to supporting implementation through webinars, professional learning, and partnerships that center inclusive, developmentally attuned practice. Visit Arraya Learning to explore tools, guidance, and upcoming opportunities designed to help you translate research into meaningful, equitable policy action.