Study: 45% of teens are online ‘on a near-constant basis’

With both the House of Representatives and Senate reviewing bills seeking to ban teachers from assigning homework to their students, the Department of Education recently put out a release backing the move, claiming it will provide students with “more quality time with their parents, family, and friends.”
The statement notes, “The no-homework policy enables our learners to find balance between their academic development and personal growth by having ample time for enjoyable activities with family.”
According to the bill before the House, which was introduced by Sorsogon first district Rep. Evelina Escudero, “Homework assignments can deprive students and parents precious quality time for rest, relaxation, and interaction.”
The statement was also echoed in the Senate bill, introduced by Senator Grace Poe.
“More homework does not translate to better student performance,” the bill stated. “More homework gives additional workload to our already overworked teachers and takes away valuable time that could have been spent with family.”
However, with regard to the “quality time” provided by ending the practice of assigning homework, recent studies have continued to find the Philippines outpaces the world in term of internet usage.
Results from a survey conducted by social media management platform Hootsuite this year found usage in the country is up from an average 9 hours and 29 minutes a day last year to 10 hours and two minutes this year.
The global average is six hours and 42 minutes a day.
In addition, the Philippines also topped the list in terms of time spent in front of a computer with an average five hours and four minutes a day. The global average for computer usage is three hours and 28 minutes.
A CNN Philippines report also pointed out, “Some 79 million Filipinos aged 13 and older are on social media.”
In terms of young people and the internet, a Pew Research Center survey taken last year found 45 percent of surveyed teenagers say they are “online on a near-constant basis.” In a Philippine Star report last June that cited the said report, writer Gerald Dizon noted, “At home, being glued to handheld gadgets takes away time that could be spent with family.”
Meanwhile, in contrast to the claims made in the Senate bill, a 2006 study by Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper found a correlation between student performance and homework, particularly for those between seventh and 12th grade.
In a Time Magazine article by Katie Reilly, she pointed out, “His report noted that homework is also thought to improve study habits, attitudes toward school, self-discipline, inquisitiveness, and independent problem solving skills.”/WDJ