The Indicator from Planet Money

A school cellphone ban study, white collar jobs wither, and spooky candy prices

October 31, 2025

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  • Amazon is cutting 14,000 corporate jobs, explicitly citing AI as a reason, reflecting a broader trend of white-collar layoffs amid optimism about AI's transformative potential. 
  • A study on Florida's statewide cell phone ban in schools found a modest 1.1 percentile boost to student test scores, though schools with the largest reduction in phone use also saw a temporary spike in suspensions. 
  • The price of Halloween candy has increased by an average of 10.8% year-over-year, attributed partly to tariffs on cocoa products, and this inflation is compounded by shrinkflation, as seen in a Costco variety pack containing fewer pieces than the previous year. 

Segments

Intro and Episode Preview
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(00:00:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode of The Indicator from Planet Money covers school cellphone bans, white-collar layoffs, and Halloween candy inflation.
  • Summary: The hosts welcome listeners to the Halloween-themed episode of The Indicator from Planet Money. The show promises to cover three main indicators: the impact of cell phone bans in schools, job cuts for white-collar workers, and rising Halloween chocolate prices. The introduction also promotes a bonus episode available on Planet Money+.
Amazon Layoffs and AI
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(00:01:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Amazon is cutting 14,000 corporate jobs, explicitly citing the rapid transformation enabled by AI as a reason to organize more leanly.
  • Summary: Amazon announced plans to cut 14,000 corporate jobs, representing about 4% of its workforce, citing the need to adapt to rapid change driven by AI. This move mirrors similar layoff announcements from companies like Salesforce, Accenture, and Goldman Sachs. Research from the St. Louis Fed suggests these layoffs may signal the early stages of AI-driven job displacement hitting knowledge workers.
Cell Phone Ban Study Results
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(00:04:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Banning cell phones in Florida schools resulted in an average 1.1 percentile boost to student test scores, though initial suspension rates rose.
  • Summary: Researchers analyzed Florida’s 2023 statewide cell phone ban, finding that schools with dramatic reductions in phone usage saw grades improve by the equivalent of moving from the 50th to the 51st percentile nationally. The study creatively used cell phone tower data to establish a control group for comparison. Schools with significant phone reduction also experienced a temporary rise in suspensions the year after the ban was implemented.
Halloween Candy Inflation
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(00:07:10)
  • Key Takeaway: The average price of Halloween candy increased by 10.8% year-over-year, driven partly by tariffs on cocoa products.
  • Summary: Halloween candy prices have risen 10.8% compared to last year, significantly outpacing general inflation rates. Specific staples like Tootsie Roll Pops saw a 34% increase, while Mars-made candy rose 12%. Think tanks attribute these high costs to tariffs ranging from 15% to 39% imposed on most cocoa-based products.
Personal Candy Haul and Shrinkflation
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(00:08:04)
  • Key Takeaway: A large Costco Halloween variety pack exhibited shrinkflation, containing 165 pieces this year compared to 169 pieces last year for a similar price.
  • Summary: One host detailed purchasing a large Costco variety pack for trick-or-treaters, noting the price was $23.99. Evidence from a YouTube tracking video suggested the bag contained four fewer pieces of candy than the previous year. This reduction in quantity for a similar price point is identified as shrinkflation.
Host Transition Announcement
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(00:09:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Host Adrienne Ma will be taking time off, with Stephen Basaha of the Gulf States Newsroom stepping in to help host the show.
  • Summary: Host Adrienne Ma announced she will be taking several months off from the show. Stephen Basaha, from the Gulf States Newsroom, will be filling in to help host The Indicator from Planet Money during her absence. The episode concludes with production credits.