Internet, mobile phones and AI in schools – advantages and threats

According to the UNESCO report, almost every fourth country in the world has regulations and rules prohibiting and limiting students’ use of mobile phones in schools. Supporters of those bans say they reduce student distraction and peer bullying. Opponents argue that bans may make it difficult for young people to work independently and inhibit their development of critical thinking. For example, in Florida, students cannot use phones during classes; in the UK, the local government also recommends such a limitation. The same applies to Italy (ban on using phones during lessons) and China, where a ban on bringing phones to school has been in force for two years.

According to teachers, classrooms are becoming artificial intelligence testing laboratories. School staff are learning about the tools and trying to understand how useful AI is for them and their students and how the software can be misused. Some people forego homework and construct projects so that students can use AI in learning. At the same time, teachers are afraid of too much involvement in new tools, which may deepen the loss of knowledge many students experienced during the pandemic.

According to a study conducted at the University of Surrey, young people (aged 24 and younger) spend an average of 6 hours on the Internet daily. Older people (over 24 years of age) spend 4.6 hours daily. Approx. 40% of the population is addicted to using the Internet, and more than half of them openly admit it. The younger you are, the greater your risk of addiction.