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Year 8 students at The Stanway School in Colchester experienced better sleep, improved mood, and stronger social connections after giving up their smartphones for 21 days. The study, led by psychologists from the University of York, tracked significant benefits in the students’ well-being and behavior.
The experiment was a part of the Channel 4 documentary series Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, led by Professor Lisa Henderson and Dr Emma Sullivan from the University.
These experts challenged students to lock away their devices for three weeks. They monitored the pupils’ behavior and well-being, measuring changes in their sleep patterns, mood, and social interactions. According to the researchers, the smartphone ban led to several positive outcomes.
Better sleep and improved mood
Students who gave up their phones experienced significantly better sleep. On average, they fell asleep 20 minutes faster and slept an extra hour each night compared to the week before the experiment.
The study additionally observed a 17-18% reduction in anxiety symptoms and feelings of depression among the participants. Researchers noted that better sleep likely played a significant role in improving mood during the smartphone ban.
“The results showed that a smartphone ban in children under the age of 14 could have a positive impact on sleep, and connected to improved sleep, a boost in overall mood,” Professor Henderson explained.
The students also reported going to bed 50 minutes earlier during the ban period, a change verified by sleep-tracking devices. Scarlett, one of the participants, recalled that the ban made her feel calmer, therefore improving her social interactions and family time.
“When I had no phone I was completely fine – I concentrated in lessons, I understood, I was more sociable, I was kind to people, I came downstairs and helped my family… we were playing board games every night, ” Scarlett said.
Broader implications for education and policy
Despite these impressive behavioral changes, researchers noted the experiment had little impact on cognitive abilities. Results only showed a 3% boost in working memory. Dr. Emma Sullivan, one of the lead psychologists, emphasized that cognitive changes might take longer to materialize.
“More research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of smartphone bans,” she said.
The findings come as an Education Select Committee report shows that one in four children in the UK display smartphone usage patterns similar to behavioral addiction. In light of this, governments are exploring stricter regulations on smartphone use among children. In Australia, for instance, officials have introduced a social media ban for users under 16.
Professor Henderson said, “This experiment incorporated a much longer abstinence period than previous studies, allowing us to see how a smartphone ban in school could impact sleep, well-being, cognitive abilities, and alertness.”
As schools and parents navigate the challenges posed by smartphones, experiments like this provide valuable insights. So far, this experiment has proven even short-term digital detoxes can foster better mental health and stronger family bonds.
