CompletedObservational

SMART Schools Study: An evaluation of the impact of school policies restricting daytime use of smartphones and social media on adolescent mental wellbeing

Smartphones and social media are a major part of life for most young people. While they help teenagers stay in touch with friends, heavy screen use can sometimes affect sleep, concentration, and mental health. Today, some secondary schools ban phones entirely, while others let pupils use them during break and lunchtimes. The SMART Schools Study is run by the University of Birmingham to see which approach works best for young people's wellbeing. Researchers are working with 30 state secondary schools across England. They are comparing pupils in Year 8 (ages 12 to 13) and Year 10 (ages 14 to 15) in schools with phone bans against those in schools with more relaxed rules. By gathering views from pupils, parents, and teachers, the team hopes to give schools and policymakers clear evidence on how best to support young people.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Birmingham

Enrolment target

1,170

Start

01 Aug 2022

Estimated completion

30 Nov 2023

Smartphones, social media and adolescent mental wellbeing

What is this study about?

Most teenagers in the UK have a smartphone, and many use social media every day. When used in balance, these tools can help young people learn, have fun, and stay connected. However, spending many hours on screens can sometimes lead to lower mood, poor sleep, and difficulty focusing on schoolwork. Because every school handles mobile phones differently, it can be hard to know what rules are truly best for pupils' health.

Some secondary schools have strict rules where phones must be switched off and kept out of sight all day. Other schools take a more relaxed approach, allowing pupils to check their devices during morning breaks or lunchtime. The SMART Schools Study treats this difference as an opportunity to learn. By looking at real schools that already use these different rules, researchers can compare how pupils in each setting are doing without forcing any school to change its usual routine.

Researchers will look closely at several parts of pupils' lives, including their emotional wellbeing, how well they sleep, how active they are, and how they behave in the classroom. They will also talk to headteachers, teachers, and parents to see how the rules work in practice and how much staff time is spent managing phones.

Ultimately, this research matters because headteachers and the UK government urgently need reliable facts to create healthy school environments. The final results will help shape practical national guidance so schools can better protect teenagers' mental health and education.

Key takeaways

The study compares schools that ban phones during the day with schools that allow phone use at break times.
It aims to find out how phone rules impact teenagers' mental wellbeing, sleep, activity, and learning.
It involves Year 8 (ages 12-13) and Year 10 (ages 14-15) pupils across 30 secondary schools in England.
Participation involves simple surveys and discussions; there are no medicines, tests, or changes to personal phone ownership.
The results will help provide clear evidence to guide future UK school policies and government advice.

Who may be eligible?

This study focuses on state-funded secondary schools located within roughly 100 miles of the University of Birmingham. This covers many areas across the West Midlands, East Midlands, North West, South West, and parts of the South East and East of England. Pupils taking part must be in either Year 8 (aged 12 to 13) or Year 10 (aged 14 to 15) and be able to give their agreement to join.

Because the study looks at the whole school environment, school leaders, teachers, and parents or carers from participating schools are also invited to share their thoughts and experiences.

Private (independent) schools, special educational needs schools, and pupil referral units are not included in this study. This is because these schools often have very different funding, smaller class sizes, or unique policies that make direct comparisons difficult. Schools that have different phone rules for Year 8 compared to Year 10 are also excluded.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

The student attends a state-funded secondary school taking part in the study.
The school is located within 100 miles of the University of Birmingham.
The pupil is in Year 8 (aged 12-13) or Year 10 (aged 14-15).
The school has a consistent phone policy across these year groups.
Both the pupil and their parent or carer agree to participate.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study does not involve any medicine, clinic visits, or medical tests. Instead, researchers visit the participating schools to gather information through simple questionnaires and group discussions.

Pupils will be asked to fill in surveys about how often they use their phones, their mood, how well they sleep, and how active they are. Some pupils, parents, and teachers may also take part in friendly interviews to talk about how school phone rules feel in real life. Researchers will also look at general school information, such as attendance and classroom behaviour.

The study began in April 2022 and runs until July 2025. Individual pupils will only spend a short amount of time completing surveys or taking part in discussions during the school term.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no known physical risks or medical dangers from taking part, as the study only observes everyday school life and asks questions about phone habits and feelings. While taking part will not directly improve a pupil's grades or health, it offers schools and young people a real chance to help shape future national guidelines on technology and mental health. Taking part is entirely voluntary. Pupils and parents can change their mind and leave the study at any point without giving a reason, and it will not affect their schooling in any way.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Secondary Schools within a 100 mile radius of the University of Birmingham across the West Midlands, East Midlands, East, South East, South West and North West.
City only
-, England

Common questions

Does my child have to stop using their phone for this study?

No. The study does not change any school rules or force pupils to give up their phones. It simply looks at the rules the school already has in place.

Will my child's answers be kept private?

Yes. All personal information and survey answers are kept strictly confidential by the research team and are not shared with teachers or other pupils.

Does this study involve any medication or hospital visits?

No. This is an observational study based in schools. It involves answering questions through surveys and discussions, with no medical treatments involved.

Can a student withdraw if they feel uncomfortable?

Yes. Taking part is completely optional. A student can choose to stop taking part at any time without any negative impact on their education.

Who is funding and leading the research?

The study is led by researchers at the University of Birmingham and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major UK public research funder.

How to find out more

Victoria Goodyear

V.A.Goodyear@bham.ac.uk +44 121 4144874 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.