#Digital-Literacy

A major new study of secondary schools in England finds that banning smartphones on school grounds or at break times does not, by itself, produce better grades, healthier sleep or improved mental wellbeing among pupils — a result that shifts the debate from banning devices to reducing total screen time and reshaping how young people use digital technology. Researchers compared student outcomes across schools with different phone rules and found that the single strongest predictor of worse academic and health measures was the amount of time pupils spent on smartphones and social media, rather than whether schools imposed on-site bans. The finding matters for Thai educators and parents because it suggests policy and cultural interventions beyond simple exclusion are needed to protect learning, mental health and social development in a country where young people are highly connected.

A Jersey teenager’s choice to unplug from social media sparks a global conversation about teen mental health that resonates with Thai readers. Marina Jennings, who began using platforms like TikTok and Instagram at age 12, recently deleted TikTok and took a break from Instagram to protect her well-being. Her experience highlights how online life can affect anxiety and self-esteem, prompting calls for stronger online safety and youth welfare measures.

For Thailand, the issue is particularly timely. Smartphones are everyday tools, and social media often shapes how young people communicate and view themselves. In Thai culture, where community, respect, and social harmony matter greatly, digital interactions can both strengthen connections and intensify pressure to curate an ideal image. The rapid tech expansion brings these dynamics to both urban centers and rural communities across the country.

A recent account from Marina Jennings, a 20-year-old from Jersey, sheds light on the profound effects of social media on young individuals’ mental health. Jennings, who began using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram at the tender age of 12, recently decided to step away from them after recognizing their adverse effects on her well-being. Her decision to permanently delete TikTok and temporarily abstain from Instagram came as a result of the anxiety and self-consciousness these platforms instilled in her. Jennings’s story is a poignant example of the wider influence of social media, prompting discussions on mental health and online safety.