Michigan School Cellphone Policy Study: Project Summary
The University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab, along with the School of Public Health and the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, is examining the impact of school cellphone policies in Michigan. This study will identify variability in district cell phone policies by:
- Understanding implementation barriers and facilitators.
- Estimating the impact of the policies on indicators of community violence (including fights in school, school discipline and police incidents) and a range of mental health, wellbeing and academic outcomes.
While school cellphone restrictions may improve youth outcomes, variation in policy and implementation may make them less effective and equitable. The key questions facing educators and policymakers are: what are the most effective policies for different student and school communities, how best to implement these, and what unintended outcomes may occur.
Findings generated from this study can inform evidence-based policies to enhance academic achievement, improve student well-being, and minimize exposure to violence across Michigan and beyond.
