Cell phone use in school studies

 

A recent study reveals that teens spend an average of 1.5 hours on their phones during school, with 25% exceeding two hours. This represents a significant increase from previous studies, which reported only 43 minutes of phone use during school.

Christakis D., et al. (2025). Adolescent smartphone use during school hours. JAMA Pediatrics.  doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6627

Schools implementing cellphone bans have seen significant improvements in student behavior and engagement. The North Adams school district in Massachusetts reported a 75% drop in disciplinary referrals, while the Bentonville district in Arkansas saw a 57% reduction in aggression and a 51% decrease in drug-related offenses.
Banerji, O. (2025). What schools look like without cellphone distraction. Education Week. 
https://www.edweek.org/technology/what-schools-look-like-without-the-cellphone-distraction/2025/02
 

This report  looks at statewide laws and policies on cellphones in schools. 
Prothero, A., Langreo, L., & Klein, A. (2024). Whit states ban or restrict cellphones in school? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/technology/which-states-ban-or-restrict-cellphones-in-schools/2024/06

Technology Use by Students

This Pearson survey examines:

-       Current usage, ownership and purchase intent of mobile devices by elementary, middle, and high school students.

-       How elementary, middle, and high school students currently use mobile devices for school work, and how they expect to use them for school work in the future.

-       Students’ attitudes towards tablets for learning.

Findings show that:

-       Elementary and secondary students are highly receptive towards tablets, and believe strongly that these devices can improve their education. Nine in ten agree that tablets will change the way students learn in the future, and that they make learning more fun.

-       A substantial portion of students currently use and own tablets. Four in ten students own a smartphone. Older students are more likely than younger students to own a smartphone.

-       Students across elementary, middle, and high school regularly use mobile devices for school work. One-third of students say they have used a tablet for school work in the 2012-2013 school year, and over four in ten have used a smartphone for school work.

-       Among those who use tablets for school work, the majority own the tablet themselves, or share them with their family. Only one in six say that their school provides the tablets.

-       Students use tablets for a variety of school-related activities. The most popular are researching and doing homework, followed by checking assignments.

Pearson (2013). Pearson student mobile device survey 2013 national report: Students in grades 4-12. London, U.K.: Pearson. https://www.pearsoned.com/wp-content/uploads/Pearson-Student-Mobile-Device-Survey-2013-National-Report-on-Grades-4-to-12-public-release.pdf

Health Risks in Using Technology Excessively

According to a study by the American College of Pediatricians, while the limited use of high-quality and developmentally appropriate media may have a positive influence, excessive or developmentally inappropriate use carries grave health risks for children and their families. Excessive exposure to screens (television, smartphones, computers, and video game consoles), especially at early ages, has been associated with lower academic performance, increased sleep problems, obesity, behavior problems, increased aggression, lower self-esteem. depression, and increased high risk behaviors, including sexual activity at an earlier age.  The American College of Pediatricians encourages parents to become media literate and limit all screen time for their children. Parents, too, must limit their own screen time, especially the use of smartphones, to improve their interaction and engagement with their children, as well as to assure the physical safety of their children.  The College encourages pediatricians to discuss the impact of media with all families, and calls upon the media industry, sponsors, educators, and policymakers to act responsibly to protect the physical and emotional health of children and families.

American College of Pediatricians (2016). The impact of media use and screen time on children, adolescents, and families. Gainesville, FL: American College of Pediatricians. https://www.acpeds.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/11.9.16-The-Impact-of-Media-Use-and-Screen-Time-on-Children-updated-with-ref-64.pdf

Negatives of Smartphones on Cognition

In this research, the researchers test the “brain drain” hypothesis that the mere presence of one’s own smartphone may occupy limited-capacity cognitive resources, thereby leaving fewer resources available for other tasks and undercutting cognitive performance. Results from two experiments indicate that even when people are successful at maintaining sustained attention—as when avoiding the temptation to check their phones—the mere presence of these devices reduces available cognitive capacity. Moreover, these cognitive costs are highest for those highest in smartphone dependence. The researchers conclude by discussing the practical implications of this smartphone-induced brain drain for consumer decision-making and consumer welfare.

Ward, F. A., Duke, K., Gneezy, A., & Bos, M. W. (2017). Brain drain: The mere presence of one’s own smartphone reduces available cognitive capacity. Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 2(2), 140-154. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/691462