A groundbreaking study sheds light on the pervasive issue of smartphone use among students during school hours, revealing concerning trends in digital engagement that demand attention from educators, parents, and policymakers alike.

Conducted by Aura, an AI-powered online safety platform, in collaboration with the Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development, and published in the esteemed JAMA Network Open, this peer-reviewed research provides unprecedented insight into the actual smartphone habits of young people aged 10 to 17, focusing on their use of technology within education settings.

Analyzing over 600,000 days of smartphone activity from more than 11,000 U.S. students, the findings are stark: students are spending nearly one hour a day on their phones during the school day, time that could otherwise be dedicated to learning and social interaction, impacting student habits and academic performance.

Even more striking is the revelation that almost three-quarters of this in-school screen time is consumed by social media platforms, with TikTok emerging as the dominant application, highlighting a significant shift in how students utilize social media within an academic setting and raising online safety concerns.

This comprehensive report arrives amidst a growing national discussion, as an increasing number of schools and states implement or consider policies to restrict or outright ban phone use during school hours, driven by concerns over academic distraction, declining performance, and escalating youth mental health issues.

Dr. Anya Commonwealth, Chief Medical Officer at Aura, emphasizes the research’s role in providing clarity for parents, stating, “It’s not about blame; it’s about awareness.” She advocates for a collaborative approach among parents, schools, and tech companies to foster healthier digital habits that support both learning and overall well-being, particularly regarding student habits and online safety.

Dr. Michael Rich, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reinforces the study’s importance, noting its “unprecedented insight” into real-world classroom phone use. He asserts that such evidence-based findings are crucial for shaping effective and informed technology policies in educational environments, addressing the pervasive nature of smartphone use among students.

The Smart Phone Engagement report leveraged de-identified data from 11,382 students using the Aura app, calculating smartphone activity by averaging total minutes active on weekdays, with data collected between specific periods, ensuring adherence to accepted research standards like STROBE guidelines, providing a robust foundation for understanding current education technology trends.