Unesco, the United Nation’s education, science and culture agency released a report in 2023 entitled “Global education monitoring report, 2023: technology in education: a tool on whose terms?” stating that there was scientific evidence that excessive mobile phone use was linked to reduced educational performance and that high levels of screen time had a negative effect on children’s mental health and emotional stability.
“Even if connectivity was universal, it would still be necessary to demonstrate, from a pedagogical point of view, that digital technology offers real added value in terms of effective learning, especially at a time when we are all becoming aware of the risks of excessive screen time.”
“There is little robust evidence on digital technology’s added value in education. Technology evolves faster than it is possible to evaluate it: Education technology products change every 36 months, on average. Most evidence comes from the richest countries. In the United Kingdom, 7% of education technology companies had conducted randomized controlled trials, and 12% had used third-party certification. A survey of teachers and administrators in 17 US states showed that only 11% requested peer-reviewed evidence prior to adoption.
A lot of the evidence comes from those trying to sell it. Pearson funded its own studies, contesting independent analysis that showed its products had no impact.”
“We have been sold a bill of goods regarding Wi-Fi tech in the classroom. It is time to protect children in schools by addressing the overuse of digital technology as well as the wireless radiation in the classroom,” stated Theodora Scarato Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust.
UNESCO explainer video.
“The report shows that some technology can support some learning in some contexts, but not when it is over-used or inappropriately used. In particular, the use of smartphones can disrupt learning in classrooms. One study looking at pre-primary through to higher education in 14 countries found that it distracted students from learning. Even just having a mobile phone nearby with notifications coming through is enough to result in students losing their attention from the task at hand. One study found that it can take students up to 20 minutes to refocus on what they were learning once distracted. ” –UNESCO Smartphones in school? Only when they clearly support learning
Video of UNESCO Director General speaking on the report.
Protective Policy
Governments have banned cell phones in schools due to the impact on children’s learning range from France, Netherlands, Finland and Israel, China, Australia Ontario and Greece to Ghana, Rwanda: and Uganda.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2020, cellphone bans were in place in 76% of U.S. schools. Public schools and districts from Pennsylvania, Maine, and New York to Missouri, to California, have instituted various types of cell phone and digital device bans, generally citing the cell phones ability to distract students from learning goals.
Parents are organizing to support healthier screen use initiatives. In Maryland for example, the Montgomery County Parent Teacher Association passed a resolution to combat excessive screen time and learning loss by passing the nation’s first parent-led Digital Balance Resolution.
Read more
- The Guardian: Put learners first’: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools.
- UNESCO Report Global education monitoring report, 2023: technology in education: a tool on whose terms?”
- UNESCO Blog on Their report: Smartphones in school? Only when they clearly support learning
- Resources on children and screentime
Watch video resources
- Press conference of UNESCO Report
- UNESCO Director General speaking on the report.
- Global dialogue on key recommendations of UNESCO Report
- Video explainer
