Do Smartphones Affect Academic Performance? Evidence from a Gender-Based Quantitative Study in India

Background: The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed the learning landscape in higher education.While smartphones offer enhanced connectivity and learning opportunities, excessive and non-academic use has raised concerns about possible detrimental effects on students' academic performance.This study examines the relationship between smartphone usage and academic performance, with particular attention to gender-based differences among undergraduate students in the Indian context.Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 153 undergraduate students (87 male, 66 female) in Cuttack, Odisha.Participants completed the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), and self-reported their most recent cumulative grade point average (CGPA).Statistical analysis conducted in R involved Spearman correlation and independent samples t-tests.Findings revealed a strong, negative correlation between smartphone addiction and academic performance, indicating that higher smartphone use is associated with lower academic achievement.No significant gender difference in smartphone usage was found.The results underscore the importance of understanding digital behavior in academic contexts and suggest targeted interventions that account for usage patterns rather than gender alone.