9.5–18%
less bullying
Reported teenage bullying fell in two Spanish regions after schools introduced phone-use restrictions.
Spanish regional studies
The evidence
We sell pouches, so treat us with suspicion and read the sources. Here is the published research on what happens when schools restrict phones — including the caveats.
10 pts
more maths points
Galicia’s PISA maths score increased by around 10 points relative to its comparison group after restrictions were introduced.
Galicia PISA analysis
0.06 SD
measurable learning lift
Rio’s school-wide phone restriction was associated with a 0.06-standard-deviation test-score gain — around one-fifth of typical annual progress.
Rio school restriction study
26% → 75%
teacher satisfaction
Teacher satisfaction with their school’s phone policy rose after lockable pouches were introduced.
Lockable pouch rollout study
2.21 pp
more pupils at GCSE benchmark
An English study found a 2.21-percentage-point increase in pupils achieving five good GCSE passes after phone restrictions.
English schools study
29%
fewer related GP visits
Norwegian girls had fewer GP consultations for psychological symptoms after smartphone restrictions were introduced.
Norwegian registry study
0.22 SD
higher maths results
Norwegian girls exposed to restrictions achieved externally marked maths scores 0.22 standard deviations higher.
Norwegian registry study
4–7 pp
more academic progression
Norwegian girls were 4–7 percentage points more likely to enter an academic upper-secondary pathway after restrictions.
Norwegian registry study
The honest overall conclusion
These results come from individual studies in different countries and should not be presented as guaranteed outcomes for every school. The clearest proven benefit is substantially less phone use during the school day and therefore fewer opportunities for digital distraction.
Benefits to grades, attendance, bullying and wellbeing have occurred in some studies, but not consistently everywhere. That is why a practical, enforced system matters: the policy only works if it actually changes behaviour during the school day.
Lockable pouches are one way to make a restriction consistent and enforceable without the school taking custody of devices.
What the guidance says
The Department for Education’s statutory guidance Mobile phones in schools says that schools in England should be mobile-phone-free by default and should prohibit pupils from accessing phones throughout the school day from 1 September 2026. In Scotland, the Scottish Government’s non-statutory Mobile phones: guidance for Scotland’s schools – updated 2026 encourages restrictions at least during teaching and learning and asks schools to consider whole-school bans.
Lockable phone pouches offer schools a practical way to implement clear and consistent restrictions: pupils can keep their phones securely with them while the devices remain inaccessible during restricted periods, with appropriate arrangements for medical needs, reasonable adjustments and other agreed exemptions.
Figures on this page are drawn from published research and regulator data. We are happy to send the underlying papers to any school that asks.
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