Teacher's view of the educational relationship between teenagers and smartphones in Spain

Beyond being classified as an educational tool, mobile phones are an inescapable part of teenagers' lives, the interface for their 'expanded self'. In Spain, the educational policy regarding the use of mobile phones in schools is vague, so it is interesting to know what teachers think about the educational relationship between mobile phones and adolescents. A qualitative approach was used to analyse the content of 10 focus groups in 10 Spanish secondary schools, in which 72 teachers participated. Six thematic cores were identified that characterise the educational image of mobile phones: regulations, their use in the school environment, students' digital literacy, teachers' digital competence, teachers' demands for good use, and insights for the future. In conclusion, for teachers, mobile enhanced learning may remain a pipe dream unless young people are educated in digital literacy and the current educational policies regarding the use of these devices (for, against or indifferent to it) are clarified. As things stand, they represent an obstacle to be overcome in the Spanish education system.