Depression, anxiety, isolation, fatigue. That’s not a great group of words—but when it comes to how principals think smartphones harm students, it’s hardly a complete list.
In NBC News’ “Generation Text” poll conducted over the summer, most of the 550 principals surveyed said students’ smartphones are worsening the conditions noted above, distracting students from classwork, and increasing interpersonal conflicts and bullying. Among the other most notable impacts, principals also reported that female students are suffering more than boys.
More than nine in 10 principals said student mental health is declining even as young people are more aware of social-emotional issues. Almost the same number of building leaders blame smartphones for distracting and fatiguing students. Nearly 85% said the devices increase bullying and student conflict while three-quarters noted worsening depression and anxiety.
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Just 5% believed smartphones make students more productive or improve mental health by helping young people connect to communities online.
Nearly 80% of principals said girls suffer the most negative impacts from smartphones while only about 4% said the same about boys. Here are the numbers of principals who also said:
- 14%: Students are allowed to use smartphones in class.
- 30%: Teachers require students to use smartphones for instruction.
- 33%: School staff struggle to police smartphone use.
- 69%: Social media is “more likely to make students feel lonely and depressed than it is to make them feel accepted and happy.”
- 85%: “Positive impacts from smartphones and social media are rare.”
- 64%: Support minimum ages for social media accounts.
- 38%: Parents support smartphone restrictions.
- 16 is the appropriate age for students to get smartphones; many students get them at age 9.
- 80%: It is safer for students to stay off their phones during a mass shooting or other emergency and pay attention to instructions inside the school.
- 47%: Teachers’ use of smartphones sets a bad example for students.
