Introduction:

Nowadays, smartphones also known as cell phones, have evolved into multifunctional devices

enabling communication, internet access, and various applications. Smartphones have become a

part of every person’s life, including students who rely on smartphones for entertainment and

academic pursuits. Globally, People around the world have adopted this new and exciting

technology as one of the most important required facility in their everyday life (Fawareh &

Jusoh, 2017).

In the realm of academic pursuits, students face numerous challenges, and one issue that has

become increasingly prevalent is excessive smartphone usage. As smartphones continue to

integrate into every aspect of daily life, students find themselves drawn to the constant

connectivity and digital distractions they offer.

The widespread use of smartphones among students has become a pressing concern in recent

years. Despite their benefit, excessive smartphone usage amongst students poses challenges to

academic performance. Pervasive access to social media, gaming, and other digital distraction,

can disrupt study habits, compromise time management, and diminish focus, resulting in lower

academic achievement.

This research study aims to investigate the negative impact of excessive smartphone usage on

the academic performance of Grade 10 students. By examining the duration of smartphone usage

and its effects on their studies, this study intends to shed light on the potential detriments caused

by excessive smartphone use. Furthermore, it seeks to explore the relationship between

smartphone usage patterns and academic performance.

.
 Review of Related Literature

According to Global Digital Report (2019), the total number of internet users around the

globe is 4.388 billion and out of it 76 million Filipinos are connected to the internet. The report

further revealed that 76 million are social media users using mobile. The distribution of users on

device usage reviews that 89% are using mobile, 65% are using smartphone, 38% are you using

laptop or desktop computers. On internet usage, a total of 84% internet users are playing mobile

games. The average time spent is 10 hours and 2 minutes, a day on the internet on any device.

In a series of studies conducted by Junco and Cotton (2011, 2012), the relationship between

multitasking on phones and student academic performance was examined among college

students. The findings revealed that engaging in activities such as sending text messages and

checking social media platforms while performing academic tasks or doing homework

significantly interfered with the completion of schoolwork. This multitasking behavior had a

negative impact on the participants’ overall GPA.

Additionally, Thomée et al. (2011) investigated the impact of mobile phone use before

bedtime on students’ sleep patterns and quality of sleep. The blue light emitted by mobile phone

screens inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Consequently,

students who extensively use their phones at night may experience difficulties falling asleep,

shorter sleep durations, and poorer sleep quality, leading to a decrease in academic performance.

In recent studies, researchers have explored the impact of mobile phone use on students’

academic performance and overall well-being. Elder (2013) found that students who used mobile

phones in class had lower scores compared to those who did not use mobile phones.
Additionally, these students had difficulty recalling information from lectures. This suggests that

mobile phone use during class can be detrimental to students’ learning outcomes.
 poor vision
lack of
active
low grades
participatio
n in class
negative
impact of disrupt
reduced excessive sleep
study time
smartphone pattern
usage on
students
academic
decreased low social
focus
performance interaction

difficulty in loss of
completing interest in
assignmen school
ts activities
 Conceptual framework

Results/Findings

1.

Activities Frequently Engaged in on smartphone

25

20

15

10

2.

Hours Per Day of Smartphone Usage

11%

2 HOURS BELOW
54% 5 HOURS
34%
7 HOURS ABOVE
 Negative Impacts of Excessive Smartphone Usage on Students
Academic Performance
25

20

15
3.
10

Affected Academic Performance

14%

YES
NO

4.
86%
 Methodology

Participants

The participants for this study were selected from Grade 10 students at Sapang Dalaga

National High School. The selection process ensured a diverse representation of both male and

female individuals aged 15 to 17 years old. Participants were chosen from three sections:

Aquamarine, Emerald, and Amethyst, to include students from different academic backgrounds

and enhance the richness and depth of the data. A total of 35 students were included in the study,

with 10 students selected from each of the Aquamarine and Emerald sections, and 15 students

from the Amethyst section. Engagement with participants was conducted using individual

approach methods during vacant times and recess periods to minimize disruption to academic

activities.

Research Instrument:

Structured interviews served as the primary research instrument for data collection. The

questionnaire was carefully designed to address four main areas: average daily hours spent using

smartphones, activities frequently engaged in on smartphones, perception of the impact of

excessive smartphone usage on academic performance, and identification of negative effects of

excessive smartphone usage on academic performance. The questions were formulated to elicit

detailed and insightful responses from the participants, allowing for a comprehensive

understanding of their experiences and perceptions.

Data Collection:
 Data collection was conducted systematically and rigorously to ensure accuracy and

reliability. The interviews were conducted in a confidential and respectful manner, creating a safe

space for participants to provide honest and candid responses.

Survey Design:

The survey questionnaire was designed with careful consideration of the research objectives.

The wording and structure of the questions were thoughtfully crafted to elicit meaningful and

insightful responses from the participants. The survey design aimed to capture a wide range of

perspectives and experiences related to smartphone usage and its impact on academic

performance. The researchers ensured that the survey was clear, concise, and easy to understand,

minimizing any potential confusion or ambiguity.

 Analysis of Data

Upon meticulous examination of the interview data from the study, several key findings

emerged. It was surprising to discover that most students reported using smartphones for 2 hours

or less per day, indicating that they were not prone to smartphone addiction. This suggests that

the majority of participants have a moderate level of smartphone usage and are not excessively

reliant on their devices.

Furthermore, the analysis revealed that most participants observed a negative impact of

smartphone usage on their study time. They reported that excessive smartphone usage reduced

their available study time, leading to decreased productivity and difficulty in focusing on

academic tasks. This finding highlights the potential distractions and time-consuming nature of

smartphone use, which can impede students’ ability to effectively engage in their studies.

Additionally, the analysis indicated that a significant number of students experienced a

decline in their academic performance as a result of excessive smartphone usage. Out of the 35

students included in the study, only 5 students reported that their academic performance had not

been affected. This suggests that the majority of participants faced challenges in balancing their

smartphone usage with their academic responsibilities, leading to lower academic performance.
 Discussion

The first graph highlights the varying levels of smartphone usage among the grade 10 SDNHS

students. The first graph reveals the intriguing patterns in smartphone usage among the 35

participants. Specifically, 19 individuals limit their daily smartphone use to 2 hours or less, while

12 participants fall within the 5 hours range. Interestingly, 4 participants are identified as heavy

users, spending over 7 hours per day on their smartphones. This nuanced breakdown offers

valuable insights into the diverse usage habits within the study cohort, shedding light on

contemporary digital behaviors.

The data presented in Graph Number 2 showcases the diverse range of activities that

participants engage in on their smartphones. The findings reveal that social media browsing,

messaging apps, gaming, and video streaming are among the most popular activities, with

varying levels of participation observed. It is evident that social media browsing is the most

popular activity among participants, with 24 participants engaging in it on their smartphones.

Following closely behind are messaging apps, with 20 participants, and gaming, with 18

participants. Watching videos or streaming content also garnered significant engagement, with 16

participants, online shopping with 7 participants, reading news or stories with 12 participants,

and other miscellaneous activities had 0 participation rates. These findings highlight the

dominance of social and entertainment-related activities on smartphones, while also indicating

varying levels of interest in other functionalities

The data presented in Graph Number 3 regarding the impact of smartphone usage on

academic concentration reveals a significant pattern. Out of the total respondents, 30 individuals

expressed that their smartphone usage has indeed affected their concentration and focus during

academic activities. This high number suggests that smartphones may pose a challenge to
maintaining focus and attention during educational tasks. On the other hand, 5 respondents

reported that their smartphone usage has not impacted their concentration levels. While this

group is smaller, their responses indicate that some individuals are able to effectively manage

their smartphone use without it interfering with their academic focus.

In graph no. 4, the question pertains to the negative impacts of excessive smartphone usage on

academic performance as perceived by the participants. Among the responses, 24 participants

cited a reduction in study time, indicating that smartphones may act as distractions, impeding

effective time management for academic pursuits. Additionally, 15 participants noted decreased

focus, suggesting that prolonged smartphone use may impair cognitive abilities essential for

academic tasks. Moreover, 22 participants reported lower academic achievement. Underscoring

the potential correlation between excessive smartphone usage and compromised learning

outcomes. Furthermore, 14 participants highlighted disruptions to sleep patterns, highlighting the

adverse effects on overall well-being. Additionally, 7 participants acknowledged reduced face-to-

face interaction, indicating potential social repercussions associated with excessive smartphone

use. Conversely, 3 participants reported no observed impacts, suggesting individual variability in

the perceived effects of smartphone usage on academic performance. These findings collectively

emphasize the multifaceted nature of the relationship between smartphone usage and academic

outcomes, warranting further attention and intervention in promoting healthy technology habits

among students.
 Conclusion

In conclusion, the research conducted on the negative impact of excessive smartphone usage

on the academic performance of Grade 10 students at Sapang Dalaga National High School has

provided valuable insights into the intricate relationship between smartphone usage patterns and
educational outcomes. The study revealed that while most students reported moderate levels of

smartphone usage, there were notable challenges associated with excessive smartphone use that

affected their academic pursuits.

The findings highlighted that excessive smartphone usage led to a reduction in study time,

decreased focus, and lower academic achievement among the majority of participants. The data

also indicated disruptions to sleep patterns and reduced face-to-face interaction, underscoring the

multifaceted impact of smartphone use on students’ overall well-being and academic

performance.

The diverse range of activities engaged in on smartphones, including social media browsing,

messaging apps, gaming, and video streaming, showcased the dominant role of digital

distractions in students’ daily lives. The prevalence of distractions from smartphones was evident

in the reported decline in academic concentration and the perceived negative impacts on

academic performance.

Overall, the research underscores the need for awareness and strategies to mitigate the

adverse effects of excessive smartphone usage on students’ academic success. By promoting

healthy technology habits, fostering time management skills, and encouraging mindful use of

smartphones, educators and parents can support students in achieving optimal academic

performance and holistic well-being in an increasingly digital world. The study’s findings serve

as a call to action for stakeholders to address the challenges posed by excessive smartphone
usage and prioritize the cultivation of a balanced approach to technology use among students for

enhanced learning outcomes and overall growth.

The Negative Impact of Excessive Smartphone Usage on Students’ Academic Performance

A Research Paper

Presented to the
 Faculty of the Sapang Dalaga National High School Students and teachers

Sapang Dalaga National High School

Sapang Dalaga Misamis Occidental

In Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements for the subject

English 10

By

Members:

Jelian Sumalpong

Zyra Pearl Bolo

Jean Nano

Richie Mae Santiago

Ailyn bulay-og

References

Alfawareh,H.M., & Jusoh,S. ( 2017). The use and effects of smartphones in higher education.

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Simon,K. (2019). Digital 2019: Global Digital Overview. DATAREPORTAL.

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Junco,R., & Cotton,S.R. (2012). The relationship between multitasking and academic

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Black view (2023). The negative effects of smartphones on students.

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students#:~:text=Spending%20excessive%20time%20on%20social,motivation%2C%20and

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Elder, A.D. (2013). College Students Cellphone Use, Beliefs, and Effects on their learning.

[Link]