A recent report from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 reveals a striking contrast between the widespread access to smartphones among teenagers and their actual use for educational purposes.
According to the report, over 80% of teens in India are proficient in using smartphones, but only 57% engage with them for educational activities. The findings suggest that while mobile devices have become an essential part of daily life for many young people, a significant portion of this demographic primarily uses smartphones for entertainment or social media, rather than for learning.
The report highlights that despite the growing number of internet users in the country and the increasing availability of online learning resources, only a little over half of teens are incorporating smartphones into their studies. Experts are urging educators and policymakers to explore ways to encourage educational use of smartphones and bridge the gap between technology access and its potential for enhancing learning.
“As smartphones become a ubiquitous tool for communication and entertainment, we need to rethink how they can also serve as powerful educational tools,” said Dr. Aarti Mehra, an education expert involved in the report’s analysis.
The ASER report also pointed out that disparities in access to smartphones between rural and urban areas still persist, with rural students facing more challenges in using their devices for educational purposes. Experts suggest that improving digital literacy and providing targeted support for students in remote areas could help bridge this divide.
With the ongoing push for digital education in India, the ASER report calls for more initiatives to integrate smartphones into the educational landscape, ensuring that they are used not just for entertainment, but also to foster learning and growth.
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