Excessive Usage of Mobile Phone: Its Psychological Effects Among Grade 5 Students

The increasing prevalence of mobile phone use among elementary students has sparked concerns about its psychological effects. This study explores the excessive usage of mobile phones and its psychological implications among Grade 5 students in a public school in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. The research employed a descriptive correlational design to analyze the influence of mobile phone use on students' academic performance, social interactions, and attention spans. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire distributed among 147 students aged 9-11, using stratified random sampling. The findings highlight a significant distraction associated with mobile phone usage, negatively impacting students' academic performance and social interactions. The study also investigates demographic factors such as sex, parents' occupations, and the number of siblings to identify patterns in mobile phone usage and its effects. The study found that excessive mobile phone use significantly detracts students' academic performance. Mobile phone dependence also negatively affected social interactions among students. There was a notable decrease in the attention spans of students who excessively used mobile phones. Factors such as sex, parents' occupations, and the number of siblings played significant roles in how mobile phone use impacted the students. This research suggests the need for guidelines and strategies to manage and mitigate the effects of mobile phone use in educational settings, aiming to promote healthier practices and enhance student well-being and academic success. This study underscores the importance of addressing mobile phone usage in the curriculum and developing interventions that support balanced technology use among elementary students.