TNW 436: What 40,000 Schools Tell Us About Phone Bans - Do Phone Bans in School Really Benefits Students?

TNW 436: What 40,000 Schools Tell Us About Phone Bans - Do Phone Bans in School Really Benefits Students?

Author: TWiT May 8, 2026 Duration: 1:16:15

Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET joins the show this week! The Oscars implement new rules with limits placed on the use of AI. Apple is set to pay $250 million to settle allegations about the capabilities of AI on its iPhones. Does tech suck now? And a study into the ban of cellphone use in schools shows mixed results in students' behavior and overall academic performance.

  • Abrar talks about how the Oscars announced new eligibility guidelines for awards, requiring that roles & screenplays must be conducted by humans, stopping short of a ban on the use of AI in films nominated.
  • Mikah shares how Apple must pay $250 million to settle class action lawsuits that allege the company misled customers on the capabilities of AI on its iPhones that never fully shipped as promised.
  • Andrew Lanxon of CNET joins the show to discuss whether modern technology is genuinely getting worse or if some of us are simply becoming harder to please as we get older.
  • And Mikah talks about a study that looks at schools restricting student use of cellphones during the day and the mixed results in improving students' behavior and in their academics overall.

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti

Guest: Andrew Lanxon

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Every Thursday, host Mikah Sargent gathers with a rotating panel of frontline tech journalists to sort through the week's noise. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a conversation with the people who are actually reporting them, offering context and clarity that goes far beyond a news alert. You'll hear how stories develop behind the scenes and understand why certain announcements truly matter. The Tech News Weekly (Video) podcast from TWiT provides that essential depth, transforming breaking news into meaningful analysis. Whether it's a major product launch, a shifting policy, or an emerging trend, these discussions help make sense of the relentless pace of innovation. Tune in for a grounded, informed perspective that feels like sitting in on a meeting of sharp, knowledgeable friends. New episodes record live each Thursday, ready to give you the insight needed to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 16

Tech News Weekly (Video)
Podcast Episodes
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