How often are students genuinely present in their learning environments? In a world where social media constantly competes for their attention, are they losing touch with reality? With growing concerns about the impact of mobile phones on students’ focus and well-being, could banning phones in schools be the solution to help them reconnect and fully engage in their education?
Rola El-Annan, Behavior Analyst, Meditational Sciences Teacher and Counselor at Qatar Academy Doha (QAD), part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE), speaks about the growing concerns of the impact of mobile phones and social media on students’ focus and mental well-being.
“Even a single notification can pull a student’s attention away from the lesson and disrupt their focus. To truly engage in learning and connect with peers in the same room, students need to be fully present, free from the distractions of their phones.”
The reason for banning mobile phone use in schools is to bring students back to real-life experiences, she explains. “We often observe teenagers withdrawing and isolating themselves by frequently being on their phones. By reconnecting with their peers and engaging in real-life interactions, students can belong to a vibrant school community where they actively converse, participate, and grow alongside their classmates.”
Social media is undoubtedly a part of everyday life, but it does not necessarily represent reality, El-Annan adds – banning phones in school could help improve attention and concentration skills, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the human experience of learning and the educational environment.
El-Annan emphasizes that although the transition may be challenging, it’s crucial for schools to raise awareness and offer guidance to help students and their parents understand the importance of this shift.
“This change represents a social shift involving parents, teachers, and the entire school community. Their acceptance of the idea will help children embrace it and begin to build new social habits.Support and cooperation from families play a vital role in reinforcing the necessity of banning phones in schools.
“As adults, we must take a proactive role in discussing mental health and emotional safety with young people, and it’s important to acknowledge that they will need time to adjust.
“Social media offers instant gratification with little or no effort. However, it can also be highly punitive in cases of cyberbullying, which negatively impacts students’ mental health. Stepping away from phones during the school day, and as much as possible in our lives, means we will need to approach things differently.”
El-Annan also addresses the broader impact of digital communication on social interactions and relationships, saying: “During digital chats, children do not take time to feel and respond; they simply react. Impulsivity is increasing, short conversations are becoming a norm, and emotional expressions are being reduced to emoticons.”
“Children are too young to summarize a whole social or emotional experience with a cartoon picture. Many struggle to fully express their emotions in real life. Negotiation skills and decision-making skills are also being affected because the speed and brevity required behind a screen are vastly different from those needed in real-life conversations.”
El-Annan explains that the current shift is leading society toward a virtual social model, one that lacks the depth and authenticity of genuine human connection. She emphasizes the importance of remembering that, despite the digital landscape, we live in a human society where face-to-face interactions and authentic relationships remain irreplaceable.
“Our children are learning to communicate through technology while disconnecting from their bodies—the larger context that holds real information and experience. These real-world connections form the foundation of our social fabric, offering emotional connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging that virtual interactions cannot replicate.
“As we continue to embrace technology, we must also prioritize nurturing our mental health, maintaining essential human relationships, and ensuring that our social skills and emotional intelligence remain grounded in human interactions. This is a profound human need.”
