Our latest Researcher of the Month, Dr Victoria Goodyear, is challenging policymakers and educators to move past simple smartphone bans in schools. In this thought-provoking interview, she shares the latest findings from her NIHR-funded SMART Schools Study, which reveals that restrictive phone policies alone do not improve adolescent mental health or reduce overall phone use. Dr Goodyear calls for a rights-based, education-led approach, empowering young people with the skills, agency and support they need to navigate digital spaces safely and meaningfully.