Can students survive without their phones?

Some North-West University (NWU) students cannot live without their phones. TikTok in particular seems to keep students entertained the most.

The results of a threestreamsmedia poll showed that 8 out of 10 students who were asked whether they could live without their phone, said no. A total of 7 out of 10 students said that their cell phones are the first thing they look at every morning. Out of the 10 students, 8 mentioned that they use their cell phones for entertainment while 2 use them for educational purposes. 

Roy Peter (21), first-year BA Communication student at the NWU Potchefstroom campus, is one of the students who said he could not survive without his phone. “I personally would really struggle having to live without my cellphone as it has somehow become my virtual organ,” said Peter. 

He went on to say that he cannot even spend a few hours without logging into his social media. He also said that he uses Facebook the most. According to him, Facebook is user friendly and easier to navigate. “All in all, my cellphone is a need for me, as it makes my life easier and convenient, hence I genuinely cannot keep up with life without my phone.” He said that he uses his phone for a variety of other things such as educational purposes and to watch the “world’s current affairs”.

Another student, Brilliant Mashori (22), bachelor in pharmacy student at the NWU Potchefstroom campus, uses his phone mostly for entertainment purposes, like social media. Mashori said he also uses TikTok more than any other application because it keeps him busy. When asked about school, he said that students need a break from academics. “I call it mental freedom. Studies can be depressing sometimes, at times you need distractions to ease the stress of your academics,” he said.

A total of 8 out of 10 students who participated in the poll said that they even use their phones during lectures to respond to texts and go through social media. 

Shane Matsie (22), psychology graduate and honours in labour relations student, said that cell phones decrease a person’s concentration level. He continued to say that these students carry their phones to class and that distracts them as notifications from social media tend to pop up.

“Only 5% of students will continue studying without reading the pop-ups or opening their social media,” says Matsie. He said students would rather spend more time on social media than on their academic work. 

“It’s funny how students can take up to two hours of study breaks but only study for 30 minutes,” he said.