Impact of Mobile Phones on Teenagers in Mongar: Parents’ Perspectives

Abstract

This study examines parental perceptions of adolescent mobile phone use in Mongar, Bhutan, within the broader global discourse on digital technology and youth development. Employing a mixed-methods research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of parents of secondary school students. The participants in this study were 68 parents and 16 students from the Mongar region, ensuring a diverse representation of views. The findings reveal that, contrary to dominant deficit-based narratives, parents largely perceive mobile phones as beneficial tools that support educational access, academic engagement, and sustained family communication. Parents reported that mobile phones enhance learning through improved access to information, digital learning resources, and peer collaboration. Additionally, these devices were perceived to strengthen familial relationships by facilitating regular communication and emotional connectedness. Despite these positive perceptions, parents also expressed concerns regarding excessive screen time, potential health implications such as eye strain and sleep disruption, and exposure to online risks, including cyberbully. In terms of safety, mobile phones were predominantly viewed as protective tools that enable rapid communication and emergency support. The study concludes that the impact of mobile phones on adolescents is not inherently detrimental but is mediated by patterns of use, parental monitoring, and contextual sociocultural factors. These findings underscore the need for balanced, culturally responsive policies and collaborative strategies between schools and families to promote responsible and meaningful technology integration in adolescents’ lives.