Children who start using social media at a younger age, particularly around age 11, are associated with lower academic performance by their secondary school years, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour. Researchers tracked over 5,000 students and found that those who opened social media accounts at 11 years old scored significantly lower in Italian and mathematics by the time they reached ages 15 and 16, a deficit equivalent to six months of schooling.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Milano–Bicocca, analyzed survey data on the social media habits of 5,227 Italian students along with their test scores in Italian, English, and mathematics. The findings indicate that while early social media engagement negatively impacted Italian and math scores, there was no significant effect on English scores. Researchers suggest this could be due to the prevalence of English language content online, potentially offering informal learning opportunities.
Scientists hypothesize that frequent phone checking, excessive social media use, and insufficient parental supervision may disrupt students' attention and hinder their learning. "The findings provide compelling evidence that early engagement with social media adversely affects learning outcomes," the research team stated. They recommend policies that delay social media access until children are more cognitively mature to manage potential distractions.
These findings emerge as the United Kingdom government plans to implement a ban on social media access for individuals under 16, scheduled for spring of the following year. This ban would affect popular platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X. Furthermore, for 16 and 17-year-olds, the UK government will introduce curfews, switching off access to social media from midnight to 6 a.m. daily. Features designed to prolong engagement, such as auto-playing videos and continuously served personalized content, will also be disabled by default for this age group.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of these measures, stating they are crucial for helping young people get adequate sleep, focus on their education, and spend quality time with family and friends. She added, "We want young people to enjoy the benefits of technology while having the tools to make the online world a place where they can thrive."
Other experts have commented on the study's implications. Dennis Ougrin, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Queen Mary University of London, noted that the study adds to existing evidence suggesting the age of social media engagement matters for educational development. He cautioned, however, that while the study does not definitively prove causation, it indicates an association between earlier, largely unsupervised social media use and differences in later academic attainment, particularly in mathematics and language.
Lucas Gortázar, a researcher specializing in educational policies, agreed that the evidence consistently points to a greater effect the earlier a social media account is opened, advocating for a delay in social media use until at least age 15 or 16. However, some commentators urge caution, pointing out that the observational nature of the study means other factors, such as socioeconomic background, parental support, or personality, could also contribute to both early social media use and lower academic performance.