How School Cellphone Rules Might Affect Youth Suicide and Violence
Official title: Estimating the Impact of School Cellphone Restriction Policies on Youth Suicide and Interpersonal Violence
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11584564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will look at whether restricting students’ use of cellphones at school influences rates of suicidal thoughts and interpersonal violence among youth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | September 29, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| Award (this year) | $399,997 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CE003886-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11584564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Youth and young adults ages 10–24 who are current or future students in schools implementing cellphone restriction policies.
✕Less likely to help
Students in schools without cellphone restrictions or where policies have no impact on mental health or safety may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines how cellphone use policies in schools relate to mental health and safety outcomes for people aged 10–24. Researchers will combine large administrative data with primary data to see if enforcing bans on phones during the school day changes rates of suicidal thoughts and acts of violence, and how different levels of restriction work in different school settings. The team will analyze how policy implementation, school climate, and other factors affect both intended and unintended consequences for students. The goal is to identify which types of restrictions are most helpful for student well‑being and safety. The study is based at New York University School of Medicine and involves a data-driven approach over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide schools on effective cellphone policies to support student mental health and safety.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows mixed results; this study aims to clarify the effects with robust data triangulation.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Bennett — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Allen, Bennett
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.