In every middle and high school bathroom across the U.S., you’ll find the same scene: a teen, phone in hand, scrolling or typing. Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo has the story.
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00:00In every middle and high school bathroom across the U.S., you'll find the same scene.
00:04A teen, phone in hand, scrolling or typing.
00:07Whether in the hallways, classrooms or restrooms,
00:10phones have become a constant companion for today's students.
00:13This behavior is so contagious that it spreads rapidly throughout schools,
00:17as teens instinctively reach for their phones at any free moment.
00:20A recent study from JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescents spent on average
00:25one and a half hours of their six and a half hour school day on their phones,
00:29making up 27% of their total daily screen time.
00:33Most of this time is spent on apps like messaging, Instagram and video streaming,
00:37suggesting that teens are socializing virtually even when surrounded by their peers.
00:42The consequences of this constant phone use are raising concerns among parents,
00:46educators and experts alike.
00:48While it's clear that phone distractions are taking a toll on learning and in-person
00:52social interactions, the best solution remains up for debate.
00:56Some advocate for strict phone bans during school hours,
00:59while others believe a balanced approach involving students, parents and educators
01:04may be the key to managing phone use without sacrificing safety or connectivity.