Statistical Evaluation of Digital Screen Exposure and Its Impact on Academic Performance and Behavioral Patterns: Evidence from Female Undergraduates of Maharaja Bir Bikram College
Likhmi Debatrata *
Department of Statistics, Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Apurba Das
Department of Statistics, Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Nabarupa Banik
Department of Statistics, Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
Goutam Saha
Department of Statistics, Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Agartala, Tripura, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The rapid proliferation of smartphones driven by 4G and 5G internet connectivity has significantly transformed the academic and social behavior of college students. Despite growing digital engagement, limited research in the Indian context has examined the simultaneous effects of screen exposure on academic attention and moral value formation among female undergraduates.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate smartphone usage patterns, their academic impact, and behavioral implications among female undergraduate students of Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Agartala, Tripura.
Methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 68 female undergraduate students selected through convenience sampling. A structured, closed-ended questionnaire with Likert-scale items was administered. Statistical analyses included frequency distributions, percentage analysis, and chi-square tests performed using SPSS software.
Results: A majority of respondents (55.88%) used smartphones for more than three hours daily. High proportions used smartphones for skill development (52.9%), online group discussions (52.9%), and quick feedback (73.5%). Nonetheless, 45.6% agreed smartphones distracted them from studies. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between year of study and attention from studies (χ² = 18.54, df = 8, p < 0.05), and between age and perceived moral impact (χ² = 16.16, df = 8, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: While smartphones serve as valuable academic tools, excessive usage adversely affects concentration and ethical development among female students. Institutions are urged to implement structured digital wellness frameworks.
Keywords: Smartphone usage, academic performance, mental health, behavioral patterns, chi-square test, SPSS, digital well-being, female undergraduates.