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Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers Podcast
What Really Happens When Schools Lock Away Phones? | Diving In

What Really Happens When Schools Lock Away Phones? | Diving In

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers vor 3 Monaten

0:00

17:14

What happens when students can’t instantly reach for their
phones? In this episode of Diving In, Justin Wolfers breaks down
the latest research on school phone bans and finds a result
that’s more complicated—and more interesting—than many parents,
teachers, and policymakers expected.

Here's the broader lesson: removing a distraction does not
automatically create a better outcome. In economics, that’s the
problem of substitution. If less phone time turns into more
sleep, conversation, or focus, that’s good. If it turns into some
other kind of distraction or conflict, the gains are smaller.

For parents, teachers, and anyone trying to build healthier tech
habits, the stakes are personal. A little friction can change
behavior—but what you put in the phone’s place may matter just as
much for your family, your kids, and your own mental well-being.

Check out the full paper here:
https://siepr.stanford.edu/publications/working-paper/effects-school-phone-bans-national-evidence-lockable-pouches

Key takeaway: Phone bans can reduce use and improve well-being
over time, but the real question is what fills the space the
phone leaves behind.

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