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SALT LAKE CITY (March 4, 2024) — From the moment children are born, they seem to possess an innate understanding of technology, carrying this knowledge into the classroom. While technology undoubtedly offers numerous benefits to education, recent studies have unveiled a concerning trend: its substantial negative impact on academic achievement.

Nicole Burnham, the mother of three children, reflects on the effects she has seen in her own family (Maxwell, Daxton, and Ella) and children school wide as she is a fine arts teacher and substitute. Not all students, or their families, can afford smartphones. “The most frustrating thing I’ve noticed is when teachers require students to have smartphones because they use an app for class.”

Technology has many benefits to personalize toward each child. On the other hand, there are many disadvantages studies have shown.

According to a study at McGill University in 2014, they said that there is “a significant link between higher levels of media multitasking and lower scores on standardized tests.” Of course, technology enhances education. It works in a personalized way so children can excel at their own pace. But, as Nicole went on to talk about, “where is the balance?”

Burnham’s youngest son, Maxwell, in first grade, said, “It makes learning a lot easier for me. My teacher doesn’t have to pass out papers, so I can get my homework done faster.” Technology sure has improved the time wasted passing out papers for our teachers and helped children have more time to do their work.

Daxton, the middle child in fourth grade, shares that he learns better on a screen. “Sometimes you need a break from paper; besides, I learn better on a screen.” Ella, the oldest about to go into junior high, also mentioned the ease of learning on a screen and the benefits of it. However, focusing on her classmates, Ella said, “Some of my classmates like to get on their computers a lot and not do their work. Then I have to help them finish up. It is really frustrating for me.”

To ease that frustration, Governor Cox of Utah says, “Cell phone-free learning environments will help our teachers teach and our students learn.” He is urging schools and districts to do help increase learning done at schools.

We must not get complacent when it comes to teaching children. We rely too much on technology to teach them. And what do they lack now? Because of this, our children are not practicing the social interaction they so desperately need. Let's encourage them to embrace boredom, to be free to explore and imagine without constant tech distractions. It's time to let our children be children, without technology dictating their every moment.


*Editor’s note: Some of these materials for this article came from personal interviews.