Study: College Kids Spend A Fifth Of Class On Phones Instead Of Learning

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – According to a new study, college students are spending one-fifth of their time in class on their cell phones or digital devices when they should be learning.

The study was done by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Researchers say the main culprit is texting.

Almost nine out of 10 students reported that texting was their main diversion during class.

About three-quarters say they emailed or checked the time on their phones.

70-percent reported checking social media, such as Facebook.

Nearly half reported surfing the web, and one in 10 spent class time playing games.

The study is published in the January issue of the Journal of Media Education.

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Researchers polled 675 students attending colleges and universities across 26 states during 2015 to get the results.

In an interview with Health Day, the study's author, Barney McCoy said, "most of us love technology," McCoy is an associate professor in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "And we want it to benefit us. But technology also affords a view that can be distracting.