Addiction to smartphones leading to distraction in the classrooms: Effect of different cultures

Abstract

Just like every other technical device, the smartphone has its boon and bane. Excessive use of smartphones in the classrooms distracts students and hampers learning. In this study, across two experiments (with and without smartphones), we have observed groups of students based on culture to find their attention and anxiety in classrooms. We have drawn out some conclusions by taking into consideration whether students were Asian, European or African as culture has not been considered in previous studies. Focus level is disturbed by smartphones and our study proves that every culture behaves differently. Asian students could focus more in classrooms without their smartphones and European students became anxious without their smartphones. Male students were found to be more addicted to their smartphones as compared to female students.