Hooked or Empowered? The Dilemma of Mobile Phone Use among Asantekwaa SDA Junior High School (JHS) Pupils: Its Implications on Their Academic Performance

In today’s digital era, mobile phones have become indispensable tools, offering students quick access to information, communication, and educational resources. Nonetheless, the overuse of these devices for non-academic tasks has raised concerns about their influence on students' academic achievements. The study investigates the challenges associated with mobile phone usage among students at Asantekwaa SDA Junior High School (JHS) and its effects on their academic performance. The study adopted a survey design. The target population was 148 students. Therefore, no sampling technique was applied. However, 122 copies of the questionnaire were considered valid for the analysis. The study revealed that 44 (30.3%) respondents use mobile phones for 4-5 hours or more daily. According to the findings, most respondents have their mobile phones, whereas others depend on their peers and parents. Most respondents reported that mobile phone usage has negatively affected their academic performance. The study advocated for clear regulations and guidelines concerning mobile phone use in schools. The study encourages collaborative efforts among educators, parents, and policymakers to lessen the detrimental effects of excessive mobile phone use.