Smartphone usage and academic performance: A cross-sectional investigation among statistics students at MBSTU

Our research aimed to investigate the influence of smartphone usage on academic performance among statistics students at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), focusing on usage patterns, self-regulation, and associated academic and health outcomes. Data were collected from 102 undergraduate and postgraduate students using a stratified random sampling technique and a structured questionnaire covering demographics, smartphone habits, study behaviors, and academic results. Descriptive statistics revealed that smartphone usage is nearly universal, with daily use ranging from 2 to 15 hours (mean = 6.52, SD = 2.57), and students reported moderate ability to study effectively with smartphones but better study quality without them. Stepwise regression analysis showed that purposeful use of smartphones for academic activities was positively associated with academic performance, while excessive or non-academic use—especially during study sessions or late at night—was linked to reduced concentration, disrupted study habits, and lower academic achievement. Health-related issues, such as sleep disturbances, neck pain, and mental stress, were also prevalent among frequent users. The final regression model explained 58.2% of the variance in academic results, highlighting that the context and intent of smartphone use are more influential than total usage time. These findings support previous research indicating both the benefits and risks of smartphone integration in academic life, while offering discipline-specific insights for statistics education at MBSTU. Overall, this research provides targeted insights for educators and students, emphasizing the dual role of smartphones as both valuable academic tools and potential sources of distraction and health risk.