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The Consequences of Cellphone Restrictions in Classrooms

Author

Listed:
  • Shi, Ying

    (Syracuse University)

  • Villarroel, Francisco

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

Schools are increasingly restricting cellphones worldwide amid concerns about achievement and mental health, yet causal evidence on school-level bans remains mixed. We examine cellphone restrictions in Chile before the pandemic, where teacher discretion over cellphone use generated classroom-level variation. Using administrative and survey data, we exploit cross-cohort, within-teacher, and within-student cross-subject variation in cellphone policies. Restrictions modestly reduce eighth graders' in-class recreational cellphone use but not for tenth graders, suggesting uneven compliance. They also lower eighth graders' perceived academic capability without affecting test scores. Our findings best extrapolate to decentralized policy contexts and contexts with uneven enforcement within schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Shi, Ying & Villarroel, Francisco, 2026. "The Consequences of Cellphone Restrictions in Classrooms," IZA Discussion Papers 18426, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18426
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luca Braghieri & Ro'ee Levy & Alexey Makarin, 2022. "Social Media and Mental Health," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 112(11), pages 3660-3693, November.
    2. David N. Figlio & Umut Özek, 2025. "The Impact of Cellphone Bans in Schools on Student Outcomes: Evidence from Florida," NBER Working Papers 34388, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. George Loewenstein & Zachary Wojtowicz, 2025. "The Economics of Attention," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1038-1089, September.
    4. Beland, Louis-Philippe & Murphy, Richard, 2016. "Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 61-76.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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