A new nationwide survey reveals the extent to which mobile devices have become an inextricable part of students' and families' lives—while also indicating that parents see potential benefits, and drawbacks, to those technology tools.
By the time they enter high school, 51 percent of all students are carrying a smartphone to school with them every day, the survey of parents shows. Nearly a quarter of all students in K-12, overall, are doing so, while 8 percent of students in grades 3-5 are bringing a smartphone to school.
It's unclear, however, whether that tech usage results in benefits for students during the school day. Just 16 percent of all K-12 parents say their children's schools allow students to use family-owned devices in classrooms.
Nearly the same portion of parents, 17 percent, said their child's school requires students to use at least one portable device or mobile device in school.
