Psychology Expert Quoted on Benefits of Cell Phone Bans

Melissa DiMartino, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and counseling, is featured in an EducationWeek story showcasing varying levels of public support for banning cell phones in K-12 schools. While many educators see phones as a major source of distraction in the classroom, parents and students oppose full-day bans, arguing that the cell phone is a necessary level of protection in the event of an emergency. DiMartino, who believes classroom-only bans would be beneficial, states:

“[Students are] not even present in class. And that, in turn, reduces their ability to just understand and comprehend the material that’s being learned.”

In a previous research project, DiMartino studied smartphone use in the college classroom. She found that college students who use their phones in class suffer adverse effects in their course comprehension and psychological state, including heightened anxiety.

DiMartino’s research also appeared in the Alaska Beacon on October 28.