Mobile Phone Use among High School Students: Opportunities and Threats

M. Ghadami, Ph D

The purpose of the present study was to examine the positive and negative effects of mobile phone use among high school students. The population of the study comprised all papers and research carried out in this field. The sample size was equal to the population size and the sample was selected through purposive sampling. In order to collect data a questionnaire was devised by the researcher. The questionnaire included the following four components: 1) The extent of students’ access to mobile phone and the reasons for using it; 2) The role of family in mobile phone use; 3) The role of mobile phone in teaching and learning; 4) The role of mobile phone in students’ social and moral development and its contribution to students’ personal characteristics. Results of the study indicated that: 1) Students’ access to mobile phone is very high and the access to it increases with age and grade. 81.15 percent of students use Bluetooth to exchange music (classical, pop, and rap), clips, personal videos, art and religious photos as well as animation. 2) Girls use mobile phone more frequently than boys and half of the students possess two mobile phone line. 3) Families play a significant role in the use of mobile phones. 4) In formal and informal education, mobile phone use is an innovative approach in teaching-learning process. 5) Use of mobile phone leads to development of social identity and modern personal identity. In addition it promotes collective wisdom, and independence and freedom to do tasks. 6) Various uses of mobile phones include taking photos, electronic games, using the internet, exchanging information, sending and receiving letters, communication with the family, protecting privacy, antifiltering, accessibility, high speed, saving time, enhancing social and friendship networks, interaction, collaboration, fun, and eagerness among students.

Key words: mobile phone, opportunities, threats, positive effects, negative effects, family, social development, moral, teaching, learning, personal characteristics