A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that high school students spend about 90 minutes of their school day on their phones. This finding supports efforts by lawmakers to ban smartphones in schools.
UNITED STATES – A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that high school students spend about 90 minutes of their school day on their phones. This finding supports efforts by lawmakers to ban smartphones in schools.
Stony Brook University Professor Lauren Hale led the five-month study, which followed 120 teens aged 13 to 18. The teens installed an app on their phones, allowing researchers to collect direct data on phone usage.
“We’re publishing this because there isn’t a lot of data on this topic and governors and policy makers are concerned about this topic,” Hale said.
Some schools, like Nesaquake Middle School in St. James, have already implemented cell phone bans. Principal Dan McCabe noted positive changes, stating, “Kids just seem to be talking more and interacting more.”
Eighth-grader Thomas Kratz also noticed a difference, saying, “There’s a lot more conversations. A lot more people participate in class.”
Despite the benefits, cell phone bans face criticism, particularly from parents who want to reach their children quickly. Stony Brook researchers hope the study will bring clarity to the ongoing debate.
“I’m concerned that our precious school hours are being distracted by digital devices,” one researcher emphasized.
