Beyond My Years Phone policies and the science of self-control, starring Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.
Oct 29, 2025
Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., a renowned psychologist and author of Grit, dives into the complexities of school phone policies with Ana Torres. She discusses how environment influences self-control rather than relying solely on willpower. Her Phones in Focus study reveals the impact of physical distance from phones on academic performance and suggests that stricter policies lead to happier teachers and increased student socialization. Duckworth also shares four essential ingredients for young people to achieve their goals and emphasizes the importance of mentors in their success.
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Set Clear When-And-Where Phone Rules
- Define both when students may use phones and exactly where they must store them during the day.
- Implement clear, consistent policies (e.g., lockers, pouches, centralized collection) to reduce ambiguity and distraction.
Distance Reduces Temptation's Pull
- Physical placement of temptations strongly predicts behavior because distance creates psychological distance.
- Situation modification beats willpower as the most successful self-regulation strategy.
Phone Placement Correlates With GPA
- Survey data shows students who keep phones farther away while studying have higher GPAs.
- This links a simple behavioral choice (phone placement) to measurable academic outcomes.
