Smartphones' Dark Side: Study Warns of Struggling Students' Risks
A study by the University of Michigan has revealed the stark impact of iPhones on students struggling with self-control. The research highlights the need for stricter rules around iPhone use, supported by teachers and parents, but not by students.
The study found that students struggling with self-control reported lower rates of positive experiences with iPhones compared to their peers. More than 70 percent of teachers observed tiredness and conflict among students due to iPhone use. The 'struggling' cohort is particularly vulnerable to harmful content and contact from strangers.
Negative experiences include exposure to content related to eating disorders and self-harm, as well as upsetting messages. Between one tenth and one quarter of surveyed students reported having a wide range of negative experiences. A study by the University of West England echoed these findings, showing struggling students are more likely to have negative experiences using iPhones than their peers. Chat groups on platforms like WhatsApp were identified as the most toxic element of iPhone use by pupils, parents, and teachers. However, parents tend to overestimate certain problems but underestimate issues related to harmful content and stranger contact.
The University of Michigan's study underscores the need for stricter iPhone use rules, particularly for students struggling with self-control. While teachers and parents agree on the necessity of these rules, students prefer more leniency. The most toxic aspect of iPhone use, according to all parties, is chat groups on platforms like WhatsApp.
