Samford Neuroscience students are applying their studies practically—and their intent is to examine their fellow peers. Through a study that began last semester, students and faculty are analyzing the effects screen time and social media have on college students.
“The main goal of the study is to compare two different ways of reducing smartphone screen time,” senior William Hold said. “We’re comparing the Brick app with Apple’s assistive access to see how limited screen time actually affects students.”
The initiative is led by Hold and directed by Dr. Shannon Wilson, Dr. Virginia Johnson, and Professor Scott Crews. Together, they make a comprehensive team that seeks to advertise, collect, and analyze data on students’ technological habits.
“We’ve noticed that more and more students are spending a lot of time on social media and their smartphones,” Wilson said. “And we want to know how that impacted their academic performance, ability to focus in class, and their overall well-being.”
Participants are asked to complete a survey prior to having their social media apps shut off. The restriction of these apps was done last semester through the Brick, a small box that acts as a lock; when scanned, the settings established on the Brick are transferred to the phone and only lifted by a subsequent scan. However, this semester, apps will be restricted through Apple assistive access, a feature already embedded into every iPhone.
“While the Brick simply blocked apps, the assistive access removes them from your home screen completely,” Wilson said. “You still have all of the basic functions, and remain logged into your social media accounts, but you can’t see them in any capacity.”
Because of these changes, one of the Neuroscience department’s objectives is to see if using a different interface will have different effects on participants. Ultimately, though, their goal is to collect data on the correlation between screen time, technological habits, and students’ well-being.
Those who participate are kept anonymous and may take part in a five-day or seven-day trial. Students are also paid for participating—$40 or $60, respectively.
Staff Reporter
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