Program
Teaching M.A.
Number of Pages
60
Year Approved
2026
First Advisor
Lisa Bekemeyer
Second Reader
Drew McLaughlin
Abstract
This literature review examined how recreational screen time affects academic performance among students. Drawing on research addressing cognitive effects, motivation, cognitive exhaustion, persistence, technology habits, and pedagogical interventions, the review found that recreational screen time is reliably associated with modest negative effects on academic performance rather than severe ones. Digital interruptions carry a measurable cognitive cost that persists beyond the interruption itself, though the size of that cost varies by student. Self-regulation and the relevance of competing content emerged as the strongest explanatory factors. Neither restriction-based policies nor self-regulation interventions fully resolved the problem on their own. Implications for professional practice, research limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
Degree Name
Teaching M.A.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Nordlund, T. (2026). How Does Recreational Screen Time Affect Student Academic Performance [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/1308
Terms of Use and License Information
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