Kids Spending Hours on Phones During School: What

Last Updated on September 11, 2026

When you drop the grandkids at school, it’s easy to picture their phones staying in their backpacks while they concentrate in class. The reality can look different. Recent research suggests many kids spend about 70 minutes of a typical school day on apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, often during lessons.

Smartphones are also showing up earlier: many children get their first one around age 10, and most middle schoolers have their own device. Understanding how that constant pull affects learning, sleep and stress puts you in a better position to help them build healthier habits, without it becoming a constant argument.

A boy using a phone in school — *Many children now get their first smartphone around age 10.*

Key takeaways

Kids are spending close to an hour of the school day on their phones, and much of it sneaks in during lessons when they’re supposed to be paying attention.
Notifications and “just one quick check” moments break concentration, make homework more draining, and eat into real conversations with friends.
Grandparents can have a bigger impact than they realise: stay curious, set a good example with your own screen, and build simple family rules together.

How much time kids really spend on phones at school

Recent research has pulled back the curtain on what kids are actually doing during the school day. Most parents and grandparents picture lessons and concentration. The digital reality often looks different.

The hidden hour of distraction

Research published in JAMA suggests adolescents spend an average of about 70 minutes of the school day on their phones. That time isn’t happening after the bell. It’s showing up during class, when students are supposed to be listening, taking notes or working on assignments.

One reason this finding stands out is how it was measured. Instead of relying on what kids say they do, the data came from tracking apps, which paints a more honest picture of daily habits.

Social media over schoolwork

Most of that phone time goes to apps built to keep people scrolling: TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat lead the way. The same research points to additional school-hours time going to gaming apps and video platforms like YouTube.

Kids often argue they need their phones for calculators or quick research. The tracking data suggests those uses happen, but they don’t explain where most of the screen time is actually going.

Evading the rules

Even where schools have strict policies, students find ways around them. Notifications and the urge to check “just for a second” can feel more powerful than the risk of getting caught. Phones come out in hallways, during transitions, at recess, and sometimes under desks while a teacher is talking.

The bigger issue is what that does to attention. If students are constantly switching between class and screen, the school day stops being a space for steady, uninterrupted learning.

The real cost to your grandchildren’s education

Phones in the classroom don’t just pull your grandchildren off task for a minute or two. Over time, that constant presence reshapes how they focus, how they learn, and how they relate to the people around them.

The erosion of academic focus

When a child is always checking for notifications, it’s hard to settle into real concentration. Their attention keeps getting broken into small pieces, and deeper learning becomes tougher.

Research led by Dr Jason Nagata suggests that kids aged 9 to 13 who spend more time on social media may see academic performance slip over time. Heavier social media use was linked with lower scores in vocabulary, reading and memory. Learning needs quiet stretches where the brain can absorb and store information, and constant pings get in the way.

Missing the lessons of human connection

School isn’t only about maths and reading. It’s where kids learn the basics of social life: reading facial expressions, picking up on tone, handling small conflicts with friends.

Phones can block that practice. If lunch and recess turn into screen time, your grandchildren lose chances to talk, joke around and build confidence face-to-face. Over time, hallways can feel less like a lively social space and more like a group of kids standing together while each one scrolls alone.

Kids standing together while each one scrolls alone — *If lunch and recess turn into screen time, kids lose chances to build confidence face-to-face.*

The myth of the digital assistant

A lot of students say they need their phones for school, and sometimes that’s true. A calculator app or a quick search can be useful.

The problem is what happens next. Once the phone is in their hand, it’s easy to drift into messages, notifications or social feeds without meaning to. That back-and-forth switching makes simple assignments take longer and feel more tiring. Then kids feel behind, stressed and less confident, even when the work isn’t beyond them.

How to talk to your grandchildren about phone use

Talking about screen time works best when it feels like a conversation, not a lecture. Lead with curiosity and a calm tone and they’re more likely to open up and actually hear you. The goal isn’t to win an argument. It’s to help them build better habits without the phone becoming a power struggle.

Start by asking what they like about their favourite apps. What’s fun about them? Who do they follow? What videos make them laugh? That kind of interest shows you’re trying to understand their world, not criticise it.
Shift the focus from what they’re “doing wrong” to what they gain by putting the phone down. Being more present during a movie night, more energy for sport or crafts, feeling less rushed in the morning. Kids respond better to a positive trade-off than a list of rules.
Try a phone-free challenge as a family. Pick a short window, like dinner and a board game, and put everyone’s devices in a basket. When the adults join in too, it feels fair, and the message becomes “family time” rather than “punishment”.
Explain deep focus in everyday terms. Every notification check forces the brain to “restart” the task, which is why homework feels longer and more stressful than it needs to. You’re not blaming them; you’re naming what’s happening.
Invite them to help set the boundaries. Ask what feels reasonable at home and what would help them most at school. Kids are far more likely to follow rules they helped shape, even firm ones.
Be honest about your own habits. Mention the times you’ve caught yourself scrolling longer than you meant to. That makes it clear this isn’t about you being perfect; it’s about everyone learning to manage technology in a healthier way.

Grandparent and grandchild in conversation — *Your calm perspective matters: grandkids often hear things from grandparents they’d resist from parents.*

The bottom line

Helping your grandchildren grow up with a smartphone in their pocket is one of the most practical ways you can support them. Digital distractions are already part of the school day for many kids, so the goal usually isn’t “no screens”. It’s helping them find balance, and making sure the phone doesn’t run the day.

Your role as a grandparent matters more than you might think. You can offer calm perspective, ask good questions, and create space for honest conversations without the pressure they sometimes feel from parents. When you model steady, mindful habits yourself, it’s easier for them to take the idea seriously.

Encouraging them to put the phone aside isn’t about taking away something they enjoy. It’s about giving them more freedom to focus, rest their brain, and actually be present for friends, family, school and the things they care about offline.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should my grandchild get their first smartphone?

A lot of kids now get their first smartphone around age 10, but the right age depends more on maturity than birthdays. Waiting longer often makes things easier, especially for focus, sleep and social pressure. If communication is the main reason, a basic phone or a limited device without full social media access can cover safety needs without opening the door to nonstop scrolling.

How can I tell if my grandchild is being cyberbullied?

Cyberbullying can be hard to spot because kids often hide it. Watch for sudden mood changes, avoiding school or friends, sleep issues, nervousness when notifications pop up, or a drop in grades. Gentle, non-judgmental check-ins help, especially specific questions like “has anyone been mean online lately?” If they share something, reassure them they’re not in trouble, save the evidence, and involve a parent or the school if needed.

Do school phone bans actually help with learning?

Many schools report better focus and fewer disruptions when phones are out of reach, including systems with locking pouches. The biggest benefit is simple: if the phone isn’t physically available, students aren’t fighting the urge to check it every few minutes. Support at home makes a difference too: back the school rules and set clear “phone away” times for homework, meals and bedtime.