A study conducted by the University of Auckland and Harvard University has found a correlation between mobile internet access and student test results.
After examining data collected from two million students hailing from 82 different countries, including Aotearoa, University of Auckland economics lecturer Sam Stemper and Harvard PhD candidate Ronak Jain discovered those with internet access on their mobile devices had lower test results.
The research paper found test score declines were "most significant" among female students; those whose parents have less education; and those in lower-income countries.
These same groups also exhibited the largest increase in internet usage following the availability of 3G internet networks.
The research paper outlined the discovery that "having access to mobile internet leads to more young people owning smartphones and using the internet. In turn, this is linked to lower test scores in all PISA [Programme for International Student Assessment] subjects."
Stemper said it wasn't just test results that declined following the introduction of internet access.
"We find evidence that measures of social connectedness and mental health — namely, ease of making friends and feeling a sense of belonging — worsen after the arrival of 3G," he said.
Stemper also researched homework hours, absenteeism, ease of making friends, sense of belonging and self-efficacy to gain insights into students' engagement, social connectedness and mental wellbeing within the school context.
His data revealed that 90% of students had a smartphone at home, and the average daily number of minutes spent online was 250, or about 4 hours.
"After the arrival of 3G coverage, students spend an additional 40 minutes on the internet every day. In turn, 3G expansion is associated with large declines in student test score performance across all subjects," Stemper said.
Stemper said technology has changed the lives of millions around the world but, "education policy has a role to play in regulating the use of phones in schools, but it goes far beyond that in terms of how we're thinking about our focus and attention in other areas.
"All of us have changed the way we spend time... access to high-speed mobile internet is affecting every element of our lives.”"
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