Between Notifications and Expectations

Shravani Anne et al.
Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:10:00 PDT

Smartphones are embedded in nearly every aspect of student life, shaping how students learn, communicate, and manage stress. In academically demanding environments where high expectations influence daily routines, constant digital connectivity may intersect with student mental health in complex ways. This project explores how smartphone use relates to stress levels, sleep quality, focus, and perceptions of social connection among students. Rather than approaching phones as inherently harmful or beneficial, this study investigates how students experience their digital environments and whether patterns of cellphone use correspond with differences in overall well-being. By examining everyday interactions with technology, the project highlights the nuanced role smartphones play in both supporting and challenging student mental health. This work connects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being by emphasizing mental health as a critical component of public health within academic communities. To develop an evidence-based report, our team will use a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative data with qualitative insight. An anonymous survey will be distributed to students to collect information on average daily screen time, nighttime phone use, sleep duration, self-reported stress or anxiety levels (on a scale of 1–10), and the number of notifications received on their cellphones. In addition, interviews will be conducted with students, educators, and counseling professionals to capture a range of perspectives on how smartphones influence academic pressure, social relationships, and daily habits. Peer-reviewed studies and public health data will also be analyzed to contextualize the findings within broader national trends in adolescent mental health. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data, a potentially limited sample size, and the inability to establish direct causation. Future research could expand through longitudinal studies or cross-school comparisons to better understand long-term patterns.