Exploring the Influence of Mobile Phone Usage on the Cognitive Development of Rural Children

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Enhancing Student Achievement: Outcomes and Opportunities in Rural Educational Contexts (Table 6)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of mobile phone use on the cognitive development of children in rural areas, utilizing longitudinal data from 2015 to 2020 collected from rural boarding schools. The analysis employs various methodologies including difference-in-differences with propensity score matching, revealing that mobile phone usage significantly impairs cognitive functions. Boys, non-boarding, and non-left-behind children exhibit the most substantial negative effects. Mediating factors include detrimental impacts on health, sleep, and attention, while parental monitoring shows potential mitigating effects. The study underscores the necessity for stringent regulatory measures and enhanced parental oversight to counteract the adverse consequences of mobile phone use on rural children's cognitive development.

Authors

• Yanan Li, Capital University of Economics and Business

• Wenrui Huang, Brown University

• Yaowu Wu, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

• Yingquan Song, Peking University