Classroom Phone Ban Lifts Grades in Large Indian Trial

Keypoints:

• A randomized controlled trial in India tested classroom phone restrictions among college students
• The study was published in Science on 8 October
• Gains were largest among lower-performing students, and grade gaps narrowed
• Students became more supportive of the ban after experiencing it
• Another large 2026 study of school phone restrictions found no change in test scores

A study in Science on 8 October reports that restricting phones in classrooms supports learning. The research is a large randomized controlled trial in India led by Alp Sungu and colleagues. The benefit was strongest among lower-performing students. Removing phones also reduced disparities in grade point average.

Earlier reports on the trial put the sample at nearly 17,000 college students. They found a grade increase of 0.086 standard deviations. They also found no significant change in well-being, motivation or perceived learning.

The mechanism is attention, not attendance. The authors say the academic gains were not mainly driven by students being present more often. Surveys and in-class spot checks point to better classroom dynamics. Time shifted away from phones toward the lesson. Student behavior was less disruptive, and teachers put in more effort.

Students' views changed too. After experiencing a phone-free classroom, students became more supportive of restrictions. They also showed less preference for unrestricted use. The authors suggest enforcement can become self-reinforcing once students see the benefit.

The evidence is not unanimous. A separate large 2026 study by Allcott and colleagues examined phone restrictions in schools. It found no difference in test scores, attendance, disciplinary actions or online bullying. One explanation is substitution. If students replace phones with other distractions, such as talking, grades may not move.

Phone bans work only when the freed attention goes into learning. The India trial suggests it can, especially for students who struggle most.