Students Are Checking Out More Books: The Surprising Upside of Phone-Free Schools

“Students are better off. They’re eating lunch together, talking in the hallways, making eye contact, checking out more library books, and rediscovering what it feels like to just be in a room together.”

That observation from the 2026 Phone-Free Schools Insights Report captures why the conversation around cell phones in schools has changed so dramatically.

Just a few years ago, debates focused on whether schools should restrict smartphone use. Today, many educators, parents, and policymakers are asking a different question: What happens when students spend the school day without them?

A growing body of research suggests the answer may include better academic outcomes, fewer disciplinary issues, stronger social connections, and more opportunities for students to engage with learning.

More Attention Means More Learning

One of the strongest arguments for phone-free schools is the impact of distraction on learning.

A 2023 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that American teenagers spend an average of sixty-six minutes per day on their smartphones during school hours. Over the course of a year, that adds up to roughly a month and a half of instructional time spent on devices rather than classroom learning.

Researchers are increasingly finding that the structure of a phone policy matters. Schools with comprehensive bell-to-bell restrictions tend to see stronger results than schools that allow phones during lunch periods, passing periods, or other parts of the day. Schools that have adopted structured phone-free programs report improvements in attendance, test scores, and classroom performance.

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The Numbers Back It Up

The results from individual schools sharpen the picture. After Fern Creek High School in Kentucky went bell-to-bell, failed classes dropped by 1,015, and state test scores rose 7 percent. Fort Wayne Community Schools in Indiana logged a 25 percent drop in disorderly conduct and a 14 percent drop in fights. Cloudcroft Middle School in New Mexico saw math proficiency climb 18 percent. A study by Figlio and Özek through the National Bureau of Economic Research found the same divide that shows up everywhere in this research: full-day bans drove real gains in test scores and attendance, while partial policies barely moved behavior at all.

School Culture Changes Too

Though academic gains are important, many educators report that the most noticeable changes happen outside the classroom. Students now spend more time talking to one another and participating in activities.

As Damian McBeath, principal of The John Wallis Academy in England, observed:

“They’re having proper conversations. They’re building real relationships, and that’s making a big difference, both online and in school.”

Administrators in the report described livelier lunchrooms and fewer behavioral incidents, with some schools logging drops in fighting and absenteeism after going phone-free. The pattern reflects a growing concern among educators that constant phone access erodes not just learning but also the everyday social experiences that build communication skills and a sense of belonging.

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Teachers Are Seeing Benefits

Phone-free policies are often discussed in terms of student outcomes, but teachers may be among the biggest beneficiaries. Researchers at West Texas A&M University recently studied the effects of a phone-free classroom policy and found that students participated more actively in class and experienced less anxiety. Teachers reported that students felt more comfortable contributing to discussions because they no longer worried about being recorded or photographed by their peers.

Many educators also reported gaining valuable instructional time that would otherwise be spent redirecting students’ attention or managing device-related disruptions. At a time when teacher retention remains a challenge in many communities, creating learning environments that reduce distractions and foster a positive classroom culture can benefit both students and educators.

Students Are Finding Their Way Back to Books

For libraries and literacy advocates, one of the most interesting findings involves reading. Several schools have reported increases in library use after implementing phone-free policies. Without smartphones occupying every free moment, students are finding other ways to spend their time.

As librarian Erin Read of Jefferson County Public Schools explained:

“Many students have told me that since they cannot be looking at their cell phones during lunch or any other part of the school day, they are checking out books to read instead.”

Libraries have long served as spaces where curiosity can flourish. When students have opportunities to unplug, even temporarily, they may be more likely to discover books, pursue personal interests, and use the resources libraries provide.

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The Conversation Is Still Evolving

Questions remain about implementation, equity, emergency communication, and student autonomy, and researchers are still studying long-term outcomes. The debate itself has shifted: Educators now ask less whether phones hurt learning and more how to build spaces where students concentrate and take full part in school life.

For libraries, this matters because literacy, learning, and attention are connected. When students scroll less and spend more time with books, schools create the conditions for academic success and lifelong learning.

What Can Libraries Bring to the Conversation?

Libraries have always helped people use new technology wisely. As communities debate phone-free policies, libraries can support digital literacy, healthy information habits, and access to books and space to learn.

At EveryLibrary, we know attention is where literacy begins. Support our advocacy to ensure every student has the books, information, and learning opportunities they need to succeed.

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

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