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Phoenix666 [soylentnews.org] writes:

College students spend one-fifth of their time in class using digital devices [phys.org]—such as smartphones—for non-educational purposes, new research reveals.

The main culprit is texting. Almost nine out of 10 reported that texting was their main digital diversion while in class. About three-quarters said they emailed or checked the time on their devices. Seventy percent reported checking in on social media (for example, Facebook), while 40 percent surfed the web. One in 10 spent time in class playing games on their devices.

"Most of us love technology," said study author Barney McCoy, an associate professor in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "And we want it to benefit us. But technology also affords a view that can be distracting.

"So the question now is, how do we balance this out?" he added. "How can we take in all the constructive dynamic benefits that this technology enables us to have, and then also be disciplined enough to recognize that there is a time and place to put it aside, and pay attention and stay focused?

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