No improvement in test scores from cell phone bans... I've said this for years, we need to take the phones away from the parents rather than the kids... #phone #ban #cellphone

Smart Phone Bans in schools failed to positively impact academic outcomes based on research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Strict phone bans resulted in a meaningful decline in student cellphone us - duh! But test scores have not increased on average, and at first, banning phones led to higher suspension rates.

The research included more than 40,000 schools between 2019 and 2026. Over time, students in schools with strict bans reported a greater sense of personal well-being, however, the bans did not improve student attendance or perceptions of online bullying. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/us/did-school-cellphone-bans-study.html #SmartPhones #PhoneBans #Mobility #Students #Academics #CellPhone #Disicpline #Suspensions #OnlineBullying #SocialMedia

#Africa’s #cellphone towers turn to #solar as diesel costs surge

By ALLAN OLINGO, Updated 12:04 AM EDT, May 2, 2026

NAIROBI, #Kenya (AP) — "Rising diesel prices linked to the Iran war are adding urgency to a shift already underway across Africa to move cellphone towers off #FossilFuels and onto #SolarPower.

"Diesel, which powers the majority of Africa’s roughly 500,000 telecommunications towers, has become more expensive and sometimes harder to secure in recent weeks as global fuel markets tightened following the conflict. Several African countries that rely heavily on imported fuel have reported price spikes and supply disruptions, prompting governments and companies to reassess energy strategies.

"The transition to cleaner power for the towers that provide cellphone service predates the latest price shocks, driven by cost pressures and climate goals. But the war in the Middle East has accelerated the push.

" 'Diesel has always been a major cost, but recent global events have made it even more volatile,' said Lande Abudu, senior energy specialist for Africa at GSMA, a global industry organization representing mobile operators. “That strengthens the case for solar and hybrid solutions.' "

Read more:
https://apnews.com/article/solar-towers-africa-energy-diesel-5ab1f050d9b0ba90d21a5d53f153ba2d

#SolarPunkSunday #RenewablesNow #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower

And can I just say how sad I am LG no longer makes cell phones?

Ive got an oldass LG phone I use for projects. Its been sitting on my workbench for *months*. I think.. well.. better plug that in.. screen blinks.. 100% charge. Turned off it lost 0% charge over months.

#LG
#cellphone
#GoneTooSoon