Smartphone bans have little or no impact on education, online bullying and wellbeing among students - DCU study
A new study from the Anti-Bullying Centre at Dublin City University has found that international research suggests that smartphone bans have little or no impact on education, online bullying and wellbeing among students.
The study, entitled, ‘Restriction or Resilience? Smartphone Bans in Schools: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Students’, also finds that the stricter the phone ban the more students look for ways to subvert it.
Researchers examined existing international research on smartphone bans and related research on smartphones amongst children and adolescents. The report finds that international research is “clearly mixed and somewhat conflicting”, with most studies showing that smartphone ban policies can have “little or no impact on education and wellbeing among students” in different countries.
The study finds that no current research can be said to definitively demonstrate that smartphone bans completely protect children and adolescents from online bullying or harmful content.
Researchers conducted focus groups with students in schools, about their experiences and understanding of smartphone bans.
Students reported that they were not taught enough in school about online safety and digital citizenship leading them instead to rely on their peers for guidance and skills. The report also found that students’ voices have not been included in decision-making on smartphone restrictions/bans within schools.
The report recommends further research on this issue, that the student voice be empowered in initiatives or policies that directly impact students, and appropriate regulation of social media companies.
Lead author of the report, Dr. Megan Reynolds, said:
“Our research shows that we need to listen to students on issues that directly impact them and ensure that they are included in the decision-making process regarding policies on smartphone bans and related issues. My hope is that this research will allow adolescents to finally have their voices heard and it will provide an opportunity for more nuanced conversations on smartphones. With this research, we can ensure that we are supporting both students and teachers on the topic of smartphone bans in schools and create a meaningful change for all involved.”
Director of DCU Anti-Bullying Centre and UNESCO Chair on Bullying and Cyberbullying, Prof. James O’Higgins Norman said:
“Our research shows that students in schools are concerned about developing digital skills that they believe will help them to cope with the many risks they may face online, and they are asking for more digital safety education instead of smartphone bans. Students have also indicated that there are more pressing issues for students than smartphones in schools that they believe require action, including vaping ”
Key Findings
International research suggests that smartphone bans have little or no impact on education, cyberbullying and wellbeing among students.
Children and adolescents have access to many types of devices both in school and at home.
Students' voices have not been included in decision-making on smartphone restrictions/bans within schools and they want to have a say in decisions on this issue and other aspects of their school lives.
Some students reported that teachers cause distractions to the learning environment with their phone use.
Students are concerned that smartphone bans may inhibit students from learning resilience and skills for life beyond school.
The stricter the phone ban the more students look for ways to subvert it.
Students indicated that they were aware of different types of harmful content online but tended to minimise risks claiming that they felt able to self-regulate this content, ask for help, and trusted social media providers.
There are more pressing issues for students than smartphone use in schools that students were concerned about, such as school facilities and health concerns.
The full report is available to read here.