Rising Teen Vaping: Impact on Academics and Mental Health

Teen Vaping on the Rise, Impacting Academic Performance and Mental Health, According to New Survey

A recent survey conducted by Verkada, in partnership with Harris Poll, has revealed a concerning increase in teen vaping across the United States. The survey, which included 2,650 participants including parents, high school teachers, and both vaping and non-vaping teens, sheds light on the negative impacts of vaping on academic performance and mental health.

According to the survey, there has been a 20% increase in vaping activity among teens during the 2022-2023 academic year compared to the previous year. This rise in vaping is having a direct impact on educators' ability to teach and students' academic performance. The survey found that 92% of teachers who deal with classroom disruptions due to vaping believe that it negatively affects overall student academic performance.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that teens who vape are aware of the problem and are willing to quit. 96% of vaping teens view teen vaping as a problem, with 61% considering themselves addicted and 54% wanting to quit altogether. However, they face roadblocks in their attempts to quit, with the school environment being a contributing factor.

The impact of this rise in teen vaping is most evident in bathrooms and classrooms, where teachers are now tasked with both instructing their classes and monitoring and addressing vaping incidents. This disrupts the learning environment and affects student engagement and attendance. Nearly all teens surveyed reported that vaping occurs most frequently in bathrooms on school campuses.

Additionally, vaping teens are more likely to experience depression compared to non-vaping teens. They are twice as likely to have felt depressed in the last month and are less likely to feel positive about their physical health.

Teachers and teens both agree that additional security measures and technology would be effective in curbing vaping in schools. However, the survey found that school leadership has not fully utilized available technology to address the problem.

The findings from this study have raised concerns among educators and school administrators. Brandon Davito, Senior Vice President of Product and Operations at Verkada, warns that the post-pandemic resurgence of teen vaping has made the job of educating students even more challenging and urges parents, administrators, and teens to take action.

Some schools have already taken steps to address the vaping epidemic. Tim Ivey, Chief Technology and Facilities Officer at Iredell-Statesville Schools, implemented sensors in restrooms to tackle the problem directly, resulting in a significant reduction in vaping incidents.

Verkada's Teen Vaping Survey provides valuable insights into the magnitude of the issue and its impact on classrooms. This research highlights the urgent need for action to address teen vaping and protect the academic performance and mental health of students.