Walking around the beautiful Sonoma State campus, there are so many great areas to sit and study. But as I take this walk and enjoy the scenery, there are students hunched in corners on their phones and computers, or walking while using their phone and barely lifting their heads to see where they are going. Smartphones have doomed us to rely on them every waking hour of the day. College students are impacted the most. They are being negatively affected by electronic devices in more ways than one like their mental health and academic performance.
From a quiet study hall to a packed cafe, there is a universal experience of seeing students immersed on an electronic device. Two researchers from Carleton University found in their study that students picked up their phones 113 times and used their phones for 6 hr 53 min per day. The students in their study typically picked up their phone to scroll through messages or a social media app.
Stepping aside from students and their phone usage in public areas, we need to turn our attention to how this affects students in the classroom. Let’s face it, if we look around the classroom during a lecture, anyone can see that there are very few students who are hanging on to every last word the professor is saying. Most of the students in lectures are either watching sports highlights, playing chess or other games on their computer, working on homework assignments, or are completely checked out.
This habit can cause students to miss important information or fall behind in their classes/studies.
Procrastination is a typical thing that most students experience. A higher engagement with using digital media can result in procrastination. This behavior can be better explained by self-regulation theory, which suggests that people may turn to the internet to cope with unmet desires, avoid bad feelings, or escape stress- leading them to procrastinate on school or work tasks.
While scrolling through social media seems like an enjoyable pastime with no consequences, there are harms that we may not see.
Social media has had a great impact on self-esteem with influencers using filters and Photoshop to edit videos of themselves fitting in the category of “perfect body image”. This creates expectations in young adults that are unrealistic on how they should look. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can have negative effects on someone’s emotional and mental health. People can feel ashamed that they cannot keep up with expectations online.
One thing that college students can struggle with is sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can influence neurological development and risk factors for suicidal thoughts, depression, mood disturbances, and more.
Of course, college students can’t throw their electronic devices out and live a “phone-free” life, but finding a healthy balance is important for everyone’s well-being and education. Setting a screen limit can be helpful especially before bed, to make sure that you’re getting enough sleep, carve out time to do a physical activity, read a book, or take regular breaks from assignments.
Though these solutions may not work for everyone, it’s important to figure out what works for yourself and implement that into your daily life.
As someone who is actively on their phone and computer, I find it extremely important to break this cycle and promote a healthier lifestyle with electronic devices. I never noticed that I had a problem until I felt “withdrawals” from being away from my phone for only an hour. I now try to limit my screen time and do other tasks that I might’ve put off.
We must acknowledge the impact of constant phone use on our well-being, productivity, and interpersonal relationships. It’s time for all of us to take a hard look at our habits and make conscious decisions to break free from the digital grip that often distracts us from our true potential. Let’s prioritize meaningful connections, in-person interactions, and real-world experiences, and work together to create a campus culture where focus and mindfulness are valued over endless scrolling.
