News Releases

RESEARCH TO WATCH

WHAT’S THE STUDY: A multidisciplinary team of University of Michigan researchers has received a grant from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct interviews and surveys to understand how school cell phone policies across the state affect community violence, including fights in school, school discipline and police incidents.  

WHY IT MATTERS: Phones are in the hands or pockets of most tweens and teens, yet little is known about whether policies regulating their use improve student achievement and well-being. Still, research reveals links between smartphone and social media use and disengagement from school, poor mental health and safety.

Michigan is part of a broader movement of states committed to enacting policies by next school year. Nothing is firm, but there is movement toward a statewide mandate that would provide districts with flexibility to set their own restrictions. The current patchwork of policies presents a compelling context to study the impacts.

So with myriad policies out there, what types or restrictions are most effective for different types of student and school populations and what’s the most equitable and beneficial way to put them in place? Existing research largely ignores the critical issue of effective implementation, and that’s the kind of guidance the U-M researchers seek  to offer educators and policymakers.

HOW MUCH AND FOR HOW LONG: The grant, worth about $1.2 million, runs for three years through September 2028.

WHO IS INVOLVED: 

Brian Jacob is a professor of education policy and economics at the Ford School of Public Policy, as well as co-director of the Youth Policy Lab, a joint research center of the Ford School and Institute for Social Research.

“There is overwhelming evidence that cell phone use in schools has disrupted the learning process, and may not only negatively impact the academic achievement and emotional well-being of young people, but also exacerbate school and community violence,” he said. “I hope our research will shed light on what factors make school cell phone restrictions most effective, and thus provide guidance to educators and policymakers in Michigan.”

Justin Heinze is an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the School of Public Health. He directs both the National Center for School Safety and the School Safety Section within the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, and is the faculty lead for the Public Health IDEAS for Preventing Firearm Injury.

“We know that districts around the state are contending with the issue of phones in school,” he said. “This is a chance to hear from school leaders and teachers about whether and how these policies are working in practice, as well as the kinds of resources and support that are most helpful for them in their roles.”

Elyse Thulin is a research assistant professor at the School of Public Health and Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention.

“Devices such as smartphones are integral parts of contemporary adolescent lives, and while they are useful for staying in contact with friends and family, entertainment, and can be integrated to enhance learning, negative experiences and antisocial interactions through these technologies can pose risk for worse educational achievement, mental health and violence exposure outcomes,” she said. “I am excited to identify meaningful approaches that schools can employ to support the health and well-being of students while not mitigating the important role cell phones play in our young people’s lives.” 

Triana Kazelah Sirdenis is a project manager at the Youth Policy Lab.

Contact: Jeff Karoub, [email protected]