A Parent’s Guide to Combat Smartphone Use at School 

The conversation about students and their cell phone use has been at the forefront of educational and scholarly research since the first cellular device was introduced. The research summarizes that cell phones and smartphones distract students in class and lower their academic performance.

Smartphone Distraction is a Major Issue in the Classroom

Recent research from the Pew Research Center reports that nearly 95% of students between ages 13 and 17 have a smartphone or have direct access to one. 72% of high school teachers state that the students’ smartphones are a distraction and a major issue in the classroom, making teaching more difficult. Additionally, 60% of high school teachers report that enforcing the school’s cell phone policies is very difficult.

A fascinating study in 2018 found a strong correlation between cell phone use in the classroom and student performance. The study monitored cell phone use for nearly 50 students for several months and found that for every 100 minutes the student used their phone in class, their academic ranking fell by around 5%. This alarming statistic shows that only a few hours a week of using a cell phone during instruction time can be detrimental to the student’s academic performance.

Students’ cell phone use affects not only teaching but also the accuracy of academic performance assessments. In October 2024, Education Next published an article detailing how students’ access to the internet and AI access have enabled “rampant” cheating – on and off campus.

Parents – Take Action

So, parents, what should you do to help your student curb their smartphone use in class?

#1 Talk Openly About the Harms of Smartphone Use in Class

Have open and honest conversations about the adverse effects of smartphone use in class. Refer to research and show your teen some recent studies. Ask them, “Why do you think cell phones reduce student performance?” Or, “Do you ever feel like your phone distracts you?”

#2 Discuss School’s Phone Policy

Discuss with your child when they should or should not use their phone at school. Refer to school policies during this conversation. Ask your child if they have ever seen their classmates get caught using a phone in class – for social communication or cheating – and what happened. Discuss strategies with your child about how they can prevent that from happening. For example, discuss using airplane or silent mode when entering each class. Or leaving their cell phone in their locker and only using it during lunchtime.

#3 Be Supportive When Implementing New Rules on Smartphone Usage

Remember, being a teen is difficult. With social media, friend groups, peer pressure, and the pressures of school, your child is constantly bombarded with communication. As a parent, patience is key.

Your first set of rules and expectations on your teen’s smartphone use might fail to be successful. But do not jump straight to consequences for your child, or this will lead them to hide their cell phone use from you. Instead, when they fail to follow the set rules, discuss openly with your child why they feel they were unsuccessful with their goals of using their phone.

Use these conversations to adapt your rules and help guide your child toward success. Praise them often when they make good choices, and remind them of your goals when they seem to be slipping. As a parent, your child will look to you for advice and guidance, but only if you keep the door open for conversation and not criticism, constant monitoring, and consequences.

#4 Get Involved With Your School’s PTA or PTO

Parents should fully understand their child’s school cell phone policy so they may enforce it at home. If the school or district has a cell phone policy that you disagree with, find too harsh or too lax, or find the policy difficult to enforce at home, get involved with your school PTA or other committees involved with creating, improving, or approving new cell phone policies.

#5 Establish Open Communication With Your Child’s Teacher

Finding out several weeks or months into the school year that teachers are struggling to keep your child off their phone will make your corrective actions more difficult as a parent. Therefore, establish an open line of communication with your child’s teachers to check in and inquire about your child’s smartphone use. Communicating proactively early will help prevent issues from arising later in the year.

In Conclusion

Smartphones in school use can be a difficult task for parents to tackle. However, having conversations early that are open and honest, setting realistic and adaptable expectations, and proactively communicating with teachers can make this task less daunting. As a parent, get involved with your child’s school and remember that positive reinforcement is going to be more effective than punishments for mistakes at home.

References

Pew Research Center: 72% of U.S. high school teachers say cellphone distraction is a major problem in the classroom

Pew Research Center: Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023

Daniel Darghan Felisoni, Alexandra Strommer Godoi. Cell phone usage and academic performance: An experiment. Computers & Education, Volume 117, 2018, pages 175-187
Link

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