9 Sep 2009

Technology addiction disrupts teenage learning

Technology addiction amongst teenagers is having a disruptive effect on their learning, according to new research published today by Cranfield School of Management.  Over a third (39.3%) of 11-18 year olds surveyed admitted that text shortcuts damaged the quality of their written English, particularly in terms of spelling. 

Commenting on the results, Andrew Kakabadse, Professor of International Management Development at Cranfield School of Management said: “Our research shows that technology obsession hinders spelling skills, implicitly encourages plagiarism, and disrupts classroom learning.  Despite school policies restricting mobile phone usage, students use the phone frequently, with the majority making calls from the toilets. The mobile phone continues to be a prime channel of social communication during the school day.”

The study also examined how different technologies were used in an education context.  “Shockingly,” said Professor Andrew Kakabadse, “a high proportion of teenagers (59.2%) admitted to inserting information straight from the internet into schoolwork, without actually reading or changing it.  Almost a third (28.5%) deemed this as acceptable practice despite recognising that such behaviour is considered plagiarism.”

The survey confirmed that access to technologies occurs at an early age with the emerging sequence being access to a computer before the age of eight, use of the internet between the ages of five and ten, use of a mobile phone between the ages of eight and ten and access to a social network between the ages of eleven and thirteen.

Over 60% of the respondents admitted to being “very” or “quite” addicted to the internet, while over 50% are addicted to their mobile phones. The report also revealed that students spend, on average, 1-2 hours a day on social network sites. 

The full report, Techno addicts – young person addiction to technology is published by Cambridge-based Sigel Press as an electronic whitepaper download and is available at www.sigelpress.com.

Ends

Notes to editors

About the report

Techno addicts – young person addiction to technology was written by Andrew Kakabadse, Professor of International Management Development, Cranfield School of Management Dr Nada Kakabadse, Professor in Management and Business Research, Northampton Business School Susan Bailey, Principle Lecturer and Field Chair IS, Northampton Business School and Dr Andrew Myers, AJM Associates.

The research was based on a sample of over 260 students aged 11-18 years old from a secondary school located in the Midlands in the UK.

Cranfield School of Management is one of Europe’s leading university management schools renowned for its strong links with industry and business.  It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy.   www.som.cranfield.ac.uk

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emily Reed, Press Office, Cranfield School of Management on:  T: +44 (0) 1234 754348 or E:  emily.reed@cranfield.ac.uk