Technology and Classroom Behavior

Technology Use is Impacting Primary School Education

The Education Crisis

American children, or Generation Alpha, are facing a, "once in a century," education crisis. Generation Alpha encompasses any child born from 2010 to 2025, if you have a child experiencing this crisis, learn more about mitigating gaps in education, mental disorders, and behavioral issues - click here.

Increase in Technology Use Post Pandemic

52%

Impacts on Academic Function

Where do the Bhevaioral Issues Arise?

According to the national center for Education Statistics, the percentage of teachers leaving the profession has remained consistent at 8% from 2012 to 2021, and yet the same organization has also reported an increase of staffing issues going into the 2023-2024 school year, specifically in elementary schools. The staffing issues pertain to aids that assist in classroom management, special education teachers, and mental health professionals. Where is this sudden demand for these positions coming from? This information indicates a behavioral crisis rampant in elementary schools as well - Learn more here.

"Evidence from research related to screen time interventions has emphasized strategies for individuals to decrease and limit screen use. The rise in screen time during the pandemic is concerning, and public health may have a role in promoting messages to parents and caregivers with concrete, practical ways to curb or limit children’s screen use."

A Important Message from Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table - See their data here

More ScreenTime

In a study published by Biomed Central, they found a high association between problematic smartphone use and school performance, and quality of life. Their findings support the Displacement Theory, the theory that suggests high technology use displaces other beneficial activities like studying, play, outside time, etc.

Further Info/Paragraph

Current Psychology issued a report in 2022 investigating School Refusal Behavior among adolescents. SRB refers to the distressing circumstance that causes a child to reject school either by attendance issues, lack of participation, or poor academic standing. 40% of their population exhibiting SRB reported excessive use of the internet, and that 40% also had higher symptoms of anxiety and depression and higher difficulties in social or academic settings as well. This data supports the idea that problematic technology use amongst children worsens behavioral issues and academic success is threatened.

Gonzálvez, Carolina, et al. “School Refusal Behavior: Latent Class Analysis Approach and Its Relationship with Psychopathological Symptoms.” Current Psychology : A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues, vol. 41, no. 4, 2020, pp. 2078–88, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00711-6.

This 2022 study by Jama Pediatrics found a 52% increase in screen time in children post-pandemic, including recreational and educational use. While most demographics' screentime increased over the course of the pandemic, with children it's a much more complex issue that can impair social interaction and function. The article highlights the importance of teaching your children healthy habits with technology and using it appropriately.

Madigan S, Eirich R, Pador P, McArthur BA, Neville RD. Assessment of Changes in Child and Adolescent Screen Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(12):1188–1198. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.4116

Luengo-González, Raquel, et al. “The Role of Life Satisfaction in the Association between Problematic Technology Use and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, vol. 32, no. 1, 2023, p. 212.

Remote learning due to pandemic lockdowns was a catalyst for this new wave of education over involving technology in the child's day-to-day learning. In this excerpt from the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, a study was done in 2022 that found a positive correlation between problematic technology use in children, and higher anxiety levels. The authors explain that adolescent brains are vulnerable to developing mental disorders, so protecting them during this time frame is vital. With technology use in children going unchecked, that's where we see these mental health issues arise, and thus issues with behavior, cognitive function, and learning develop as well.

Additionally, in an article published by Elsevier, they found primary children who were often given a device to mitigate crying, were much more likely to express emotional reactivity, tantrums, and lack of emotional regulation. When parents or care givers allow devices to comfort their child during normal times of distress, this creates mental connections in the child's brain that can be damaging later on, like in a school setting. It will disrupt their attention span and their ability to resolve internal conflicts.

We've established that there's been a significant increase in technology use amongst adolescents, but is that affecting their behavior?In this study by Frontiers in Psychiatry, they concluded "technology use is associated with a negative impact on children's sleep and behavior. Owning a digital device, using tablets, screen viewing for more than 3-5 h, and watching movies were significantly associated with negative child's behavior and sleep."

Impact on behavior

NewsRx. New Research on Psychiatry from College of Education Summarized (Impact of Technology Use on Behavior and Sleep Scores in Preschool Children in Saudi Arabia). Health & Medicine Week. June 11, 2021; p 5142

Coyne, Sarah M., et al. “Tantrums, Toddlers and Technology: Temperament, Media Emotion Regulation, and Problematic Media Use in Early Childhood.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 120, 2021, p. NA, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106762.

“Eight Percent of Public School Teachers Left Teaching in 2021, a Rate Unchanged since Last Measured in 2012.” Press Release - Eight Percent of Public School Teachers Left Teaching in 2021, a Rate Unchanged Since Last Measured in 2012 - December 13, 2023, 13 Dec. 2023, nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/12_13_2023.asp.

“Most Public Schools Face Challenges in Hiring Teachers and Other Personnel Entering the 2023-24 Academic Year.” Press Release - Most Public Schools Face Challenges in Hiring Teachers and Other Personnel Entering the 2023-24 Academic Year - October 17, 2023, 17 Oct. 2023, nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/10_17_2023.asp.

Luengo-González, Raquel, et al. “The Role of Life Satisfaction in the Association between Problematic Technology Use and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, vol. 32, no. 1, 2023, p. 212.

Remote learning due to pandemic lockdowns was a catalyst for this new wave of education over involving technology in the child's day-to-day learning. In this excerpt from the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, a study was done in 2022 that found a positive correlation between problematic technology use in children, and higher anxiety levels. The authors explain that adolescent brains are vulnerable to developing mental disorders, so protecting them during this time frame is vital. With technology use in children going unchecked, that's where we see these mental health issues arise, and thus issues with behavior, cognitive function, and learning develop as well.

: Toombs E, Mushquash CJ, Mah L, et al. Increased screen time for children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Science Briefs of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. 2022;3(59). https:// doi.org/10.47326/ocsat.2022.03.59.1.0