Smartphones in Class

The Debate that Hides Deeper Social Issues

Abstract

Smartphones are deeply embedded in young people's daily lives, but their use in the classroom raises concerns about their potential negative effects, such as distraction, decreased concentration and procrastination (Lin et al., 2021; Mahsud et al., 2021). Public discourse tends to present this phenomenon in terms of addiction, fuelling moralistic narratives (Lachance, 2016). The current debate, driven by UNESCO's 2023 report on technology in education, calls into question the place of smartphones in schools. This article aims to deconstruct these discourses by putting forward two central arguments. Firstly, it analyzes the social structures that promote hyperconnection in the context of contemporary capitalism. Secondly, it criticizes the excessive focus on young people's use of smartphones, which distracts attention from deeper social problems. We argue for a sociological perspective, rooted in political and historical contexts, to better understand the societal challenges associated with smartphone use among young people.