Mobile Phone Bans Don’t Improve Academic Results, Czech Study Finds
Jerusalem, 23 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Brno (CTK) – Banning mobile phones in schools does not directly lead to improved academic results. Pupils are less distracted, but on the other hand, indiscipline in classes is increasing. This is according to data from 21 countries, including the Czech Republic, which was analyzed by scientists from the IRTIS research team of the Faculty of Social Studies at Masaryk University in Brno.
According to them, blanket bans do not work and are not a universal solution. It is more appropriate to adapt the rules to local conditions, they said in a research report. Voices in favor of regulation are being heard from both the current government majority and the opposition.
“If we look at academic results in mathematics, the connection with the ban on mobile phones does not appear to be significant across countries. It seems that the positive and negative impacts of this step on student results cancel each other out,” said Libor Juhaňák from IRTIS.
The researchers also analyzed the situation in the Czech Republic with regard to cyberbullying, online addiction, and mental well-being. The bans are not directly related to any of these areas. “Children in schools with a mobile phone ban had the same or similar level of symptoms of online addiction and similar level of experience with cyberbullying as children in schools without a ban,” added the second author, Ivan Černický.
It is more the parents’ attitude that has an impact on mental well-being. Talking to children about new technologies, explaining the risks and taking an interest in their online world has a positive impact. Conversely, blocking apps or setting time limits may limit the use of mobile phones outside of school, but they may also limit opportunities to develop digital or other skills.
The researchers recommend framing any regulation as support for schools to adapt rules to local conditions, rather than as a “one-size-fits-all solution.” Schools should also pay primary attention to classroom management and disruptions, which have been shown to have a clear link to student outcomes.
Current Czech data from the EU Kids Online project show that strict bans are most common in the Czech environment in the first grade and gradually decrease with the age of the children. Overall, approximately a third of pupils in the third to ninth grades stated that mobile phones are banned at school. At the same time, the younger the children are, the more they respect and agree with the bans.
