– We get figures that show us a trend, without having an explanation as to why, says psychological specialist Anne Karin Mullally. Norwegian students have it worse psychologically than ever. This is revealed in the Students’ health and well-being survey (Shot). Almost 60,000 students have taken part in this year’s survey. In 2010, one in six students answered that they had psychological problems. In 2022, over one in three answers the same. Psychological specialist and head of SiO Mental Health, Anne Karin Mullally, strikes a blow for mobile phone-free zones on several campuses. Photo: Thorstein Diesen / SiO – A world of social media has opened up. It helps to reinforce the feeling of having to perform because they see how well and how well people are doing on social media, says Mullally. She believes mobile phone-free zones at Norwegian colleges and universities can be a move that will improve students’ mental health. – I think it might be a good idea to have mobile phone-free zones on several campuses in Norway, especially places where many students gather to read. It can be a good measure. Put the mobile away and turn it off to focus. The students’ health and well-being survey (Shot) 169,572 students were offered to answer this year’s survey. 59,544 (35 percent) students participated. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is conducting the survey on behalf of the student associations SiO, Sammen and Sit. The survey is normally carried out every four years. The first survey was carried out in 2010. In 2021, an additional survey was carried out to map how the students fared during the first year of the corona pandemic. Source: Studenthelse.no New discovery changes the view on mobile phone use The Shot survey shows several findings that Norwegian professionals are concerned about. Slightly more than half of the students see themselves as addicted to social media. More male (39 per cent) than female students (20 per cent) use the phone for more than ten hours during a day. 5 percent of students use their mobile phone 14 hours or more during a day. – We see that it is more about what you spend your time on, rather than how many hours you spend on social media. It is a change from previous research focus, says senior researcher at FHI, Jens Christoffer Skogen. Senior researcher at the Institute of Public Health, Jens Christoffer Skogen, disagrees with the proposal. Photo: Bergit Sønstebø Svendseid / news He is lukewarm about the proposal for mobile phone-free zones, because it can feel like an overstepping in everyday life. At the same time, it has no support in research. – This is where young people spend a large part of their lives. A ban could be perceived as refusing them to be with friends. Such a proposal must possibly be made in close collaboration with the students themselves, he says. Should there be mobile phone-free zones on Norwegian campuses? – Opposing student Lohany Veloso does not agree with the proposal either. Student Lohany Veloso believes mobile phone-free zones should be well thought out. Photo: Rahand Bazaz / news – A ban would certainly have helped some, but not all. You should think about where you should have such a ban and rather have it as a recommendation, says Veloso. She thinks a ban is a bad idea because many people depend on various websites, apps and services linked to the place of study. – It’s a bit contradictory because the first thing you hear when you start school is “download this and that app”. If we have to make such a move, the students should be involved, she says. Hi! Do you have any tips on what my next case might be about? Send me an e-mail! I have written about this in the past, among other things:
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Psychologist wants mobile phone-free zones – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
