• Email Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Whatsapp X The widespread use of smartphones by university students in China shows a conflict between conventional teaching methods and the realities of learners who grew up using digital technologies. • Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 27,99 €/ 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access 185,98 € per year only 3,65 € per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Nature650, 792 (2026) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00497-w Competing Interests The author declares no competing interests. • Related Articles Australia’s world-first social media ban is a ’natural experiment’ for scientists Australia’s world-first social media ban is a ’natural experiment’ for scientists Do social-media bans benefit young people? • These data could offer clues Do social-media bans benefit young people? • These data could offer clues Social-media bans won’t work - there are better ways to keep kids safe Social-media bans won’t work - there are better ways to keep kids safe Subjects Policy Education Technology Latest on: Policy Education Technology Why Europe barred China from flagship Horizon research programmesNews16 FEB 26 Why Europe barred China from flagship Horizon research programmes News16 FEB 26 US repeals key ’endangerment finding’ that climate change is a public threatNews12 FEB 26 US repeals key ’endangerment finding’ that climate change is a public threat News12 FEB 26 What drugs are safe during pregnancy? • There’s a shocking lack of dataNews Feature11 FEB 26 What drugs are safe during pregnancy?

Article Summaries:

    • CORRESPONDENCE Smartphones are a double-edged tool in classrooms Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 27,99 € / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access 185,98 € per year only 3,65 € per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Nature 650, 792 (2026) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00497-w Competing Interests The author declares no competin

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