Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2025
First exams 2027
Source 1
Figure 1 shows the relationship between daily social media use and self-reported sleep quality among adolescents aged 15–18 years. Sleep quality was measured using a standardised self-report scale, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Social media use was categorised based on average daily time spent on social networking platforms.
Explain one issue that limits the interpretation of the data in source 1.
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Source 2
A study was conducted to investigate the effect of prolonged technology use during school hours on physical health indicators in students aged 14–18 years. A sample of 60 students was divided into two groups. One group was required to complete schoolwork using digital devices for up to six hours per day, while the other group completed the same tasks using non-digital materials. There were 30 students in each group.
At the end of the school day, all students completed a physical health checklist measuring eye strain, headaches, musculoskeletal discomfort, and fatigue. Higher scores indicate poorer physical health.
Table 1: Mean physical health scores by technology use condition
Physical health measure | High technology use | Low technology use |
|---|---|---|
Eye strain | 7.8 | 4.2 |
Headaches | 6.9 | 3.8 |
Musculoskeletal discomfort | 8.1 | 4.6 |
Fatigue | 7.5 | 4.1 |
Analyse the findings from source 2 and state a conclusion linked to the claim that the use of technology may have a negative effect on the physical health of students.
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Source 3
A researcher analysed reflective digital diaries written by students from five secondary schools to explore their experiences of technology use and physical health. Over a two-week period, students recorded daily reflections on their screen use during and after school, including any physical effects they experienced.
The researcher conducted a thematic analysis of the diary entries and identified the following themes:
Extended screen use was linked to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty sleeping
Students reported poor posture when using laptops or smartphones for long periods
Some students described feeling physically tired or inactive during days with heavy technology use
Several students reported that school expectations made it difficult to take regular breaks from screens
Discuss how the researcher could avoid bias in source 3.
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To what extent can we claim that the use of technology may have a negative effect on the physical health of students? In your answer, use your own knowledge and at least three of sources 2-5 (opens in a new tab).
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