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Schools must focus not only on physical safety but also on other factors that impact students’ wellbeing throughout the school day. A significant concern for both schools is students’ cell phone use during instructional time.
The distraction of social media and its impact on student wellbeing and learning has certainly taken the stage. Discussions surrounding screentime and, especially, student cellphone use during the school day have increased in recent months.
With the Senate’s investigation into social media’s impact on children as a backdrop, a growing number of states have restricted cell phone use or have considered legislation to do so.
Although many schools have implemented policies to restrict cell phone use for non-academic reasons during instruction, reports indicate that up to 97% of students aged 11-17 still use their phones during the school day.
Issues related to cell phone use in schools include e-cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty, cyberbullying, and sexting, as highlighted by a study out of Canada, Cell Phones, Student Rights, and School Safety: Finding the Right Balance.
An earlier study in 2015, conducted by the University of Texas and Louisiana State University, examined changes in exam scores before and after implementing cell phone limits. The most significant improvement in test scores was observed among disadvantaged or underachieving students.
In addition to academic performance, the rising rates of mental health concerns among students have added a new sense of urgency to this issue with not only school districts looking to limit use but also states working to outright ban the use of cell phones by students during the school day.
Research on Cell Phones and Teens
The Gallup Familial and Adolescent Health Survey collected information from 6,643 parents and 1,591 teens of the parent in the United States. On average, teens reported spending 4.8 hours a day on social media, with YouTube being the most popular platform. The survey also investigated teens’ mental wellbeing, finding that “teens who spend five or more hours per day on social media apps are significantly more likely to report experiencing negative emotions compared with those who spend less than two hours per day.”
While teens might think they can multitask and that it is not problematic to check social media during a class, research concluded it takes 20 minutes for a student to be able to refocus after looking at their phone, resulting in students missing critical information during class.
Part of the curriculum taught in schools nationwide includes educating students on digital citizenship. While these lessons often focus on online safety and cyberbullying, it is equally important to help students develop positive habits around cell phone use. While the curriculum is important, setting up students for success includes setting limits for cell phone use during the school day.
Results of Cell Phone Limits
Many schools and communities across the globe are enacting limitations to cell phone use for students of all ages. These decisions are based on a variety of factors, but at the center is the academic performance of students. Some of the benefits of limiting cell phone use include:
- Increased academic performance: A study from Southern Australia revealed that schools implementing cell phone limits saw an improvement in test scores, particularly among low-achieving students.
- Increase in student engagement: Students in a United States school report it is nice to be forced to have a break from screens and talk with other students in person.
- Increase instruction time: A study conducted in the UK concluded that limiting cell phone use can add an hour of instruction time for students each week.
Improving student wellbeing
While it is widely understood that limiting cell phone use is crucial for student wellbeing, determining how schools should respond can be challenging. However, as more evidence emerges, implementing and enforcing cell phone limits during school hours benefits students in various other ways, including improved academic performance.
Additionally, by setting limits, students can develop the crucial skill of managing their cell phone use, which will benefit them as they transition to the next phase of their lives.
Related Resources
Learn more about strategies to improve student wellbeing in Raptor’s free and newly updated Guide to K-12 Student Wellbeing.
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