As I write this article on my laptop, I have a mobile phone in front of me, a smartwatch strapped to my wrist, and a tablet charging across the room. I need to focus, yet I’ve allowed myself to be at the mercy of all my devices: email alerts, text message beeps, and a steady vibration reminding me to breathe.
Multiple screens may very well be taking over my life. But what about our kids? Are they also falling prey to constant demands on their attention? The latest studies say teens spend an average of eight hours a day using screens. During that period, 29% of their time is spent looking at multiple media streams simultaneously.
A lot of people who consider themselves serial multitaskers think that working off several screens makes them more productive. But studies say differently. Dividing your attention can result in negative consequences such as lower cognitive ability and hasty decision making.
The most ubiquitous screen is the mobile phone. It sends a stream of alerts throughout the day that can be distracting and interrupt the flow of learning. Ninety-one percent of higher education students text in class. Children as young as five years old multitask while doing their homework.
A majority of students admit to occasionally doing their homework while watching television (51%), utilizing social media (50%), mobile devices (60%), or listening to music (76% ).
Media multitasking has a negative effect on learning. Students who multitask take longer to understand lessons, show less accuracy in their answers, and demonstrate a lack of depth in their understanding of material.
Most American college students use electronic devices while studying, in lectures, or while working on assignments.
College students learn less when:
- splitting focus between reading textbooks and using a mobile device text message
- social networking and instant messaging while studying or learning
Splitting a student’s focus while studying results in lower overall comprehension and correlates to lower overall GPAs.
Parents need to help their children achieve balance. Set aside screen-free times, don’t let kids use devices inside their bedrooms, and put a limit on screen time. Building positive digital skills early will kids manage screen time as they go off to university and beyond.
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Also Read: The Science Behind Carrots&Cake
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