A recent study by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research examined the impact of phone bans in schools, particularly those using Yondr pouches to lock away student phones. The research tracked 43,000 middle and high schools over three years and found that while phone usage during class dropped significantly from 61% to 13%, the initial effects were not as beneficial as anticipated. In the first year, schools reported a 16% increase in suspensions and a decline in student well-being, with no significant improvements in test scores or attendance. Researchers, including Thomas Dee from Stanford, noted that students exhibited disruptive behavior when deprived of their phones, likening it to withdrawal symptoms. However, after two to three years, students' well-being began to improve, and disciplinary issues decreased. The study highlights that while phone bans can be effective, their implementation needs careful consideration and further research to optimize their impact. California Governor Gavin Newsom has supported these efforts, signing legislation requiring schools to limit cellphone use, reflecting a nationwide trend where about two-thirds of U.S. states have enacted similar bans.