health
April 1, 2026
It’s time to ban smartphones in schools
A recent study shows that US students use their phones an average of 64 times per school day ruining concentration and cognitive abilities
TL;DR
- A study tracked 79 students aged 11-18, finding phone usage occurred every hour of the school day.
- Students averaged over two hours of screen time during school, reaching for their phones 64 times daily.
- Higher phone usage correlated with lower scores on concentration and self-control tests.
- Social media and entertainment apps accounted for nearly 70% of school-hour screen time.
- High school students used smartphones more than middle schoolers, averaging 23 minutes per hour compared to 12 minutes.
- The study's results could influence decisions on banning smartphones in schools, with some countries already implementing restrictions.
- Researchers suggest that the constant availability of smartphones increases social media distraction during school hours, challenging adolescents' ability to regulate attention.
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