Do smartphones as educational tools really benefit children?

Smartphones may be detrimental to early childhood development, affecting learning, sleeping and stress, say educators. — dpa

Many children already have their own smartphone by the time they're in primary school these days. And the devices have sometimes been indispensable for Covid-related distance learning. But they also have serious drawbacks, educators point out.

Klaus Zierer, professor of education at the University of Augsburg in Germany, says school authorities should take a close look at schoolchildren's smartphone use, warning that excessive use could lead to massive learning deficits.