A new report from the Fordham Institute, High Tech, Low Standards: High School in the Age of Distraction, reveals concerning trends in how students use technology during school hours. The study, authored by Brian Fitzpatrick, surveyed 1,000 high schoolers and 1,000 recent graduates, shedding light on the pervasive role of devices in classrooms. The report aims to address the growing disconnect between the perceived benefits of educational technology and its actual impact on student engagement and learning.
According to the findings, 75% of respondents admitted to using “illicit” technology daily at school. Specifically, 50% accessed social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram, 33% watched YouTube videos, and 17% shopped online during class time.
The issue extends beyond unauthorized use. 62% of students reported spending more than half their class time on school-issued devices, with 30% using screens for over three-quarters of the school day. This doesn’t account for additional time spent on personal devices, suggesting that screen time dominates the majority of students’ daily routines, both inside and outside the classroom.
Artificial intelligence tools, often touted as educational aids, are frequently misused. 48% of students used AI to solve math problems, 36% to summarize texts instead of reading them, and 29% to draft essays or reports. 26% admitted to using AI during quizzes or tests, a practice once simply called “cheating.”
Students themselves acknowledge the negative impact of technology. 58% agreed that AI has made homework “meaningless,” and 57% said it allows students to earn good grades without effort. The report suggests technology is supporting a culture where learning appears to happen, but the school day increasingly revolves around videos, memes, and AI shortcuts.
