Children, social media and school tests
Children using social media at younger age appear to do worse in school tests
- Level
- B1
- Estimated time
- 30–40 minutes
- Reading
- 1 min read
The story
A new study looked at how the age when children first join social media relates to school tests. Researchers followed more than 5,000 Italian pupils and compared those who opened an account at the start of secondary school with those who waited a few years. Pupils who opened their first social media account at 11 or 12 scored lower in mathematics and reading tests than those who waited.
When tested at 13 to 14, early users scored worse than those who waited until at least 14, and the gap by age 15 to 16 was roughly equal to six months of learning. The study found no impact on English test results, possibly because much social media content is in English and gives extra exposure.
One strong predictor of the performance gap was how often children picked up their phones during the day and night. Constant checking and notifications can be a distraction and make it harder to concentrate on homework or class tasks.
The researchers said the work does not prove social media alone causes the gap, and they suggested safer platforms and help for families. Some experts recommend supporting young people to build healthy habits with social media and considering age limits.
Key vocabulary
- social media
- Websites and apps where people share messages and content with others.
- account
- A personal profile that lets someone use an online service.
- secondary school
- The school that children attend after primary school, usually for ages about 11–16.
- tests
- Formal exams or checks of what students have learned.
- scored
- Received a number or grade in a test or exam.
- mathematics
- The school subject about numbers and calculations; often called 'maths'.
- reading
- The skill and activity of understanding written text; a school subject.
- distraction
- Something that stops someone from giving full attention to an activity.
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. How many pupils did the researchers follow?
2. At what ages did pupils who opened accounts score lower?
3. Which school subjects showed lower scores for early users?
4. What was one strong predictor of the performance gap?
5. What did the researchers suggest to help with the problem?
Grammar focus
Comparative adjectives
Comparative adjectives compare two people or things (for example, lower, worse, higher). The reading text uses comparative adjectives to show differences in test results between groups.
- Pupils who opened their first social media account at 11 or 12 scored lower in mathematics and reading tests than those who waited.
- When tested at 13 to 14, early users scored worse than those who waited until at least 14, and the gap by age 15 to 16 was roughly equal to six months of learning.
Grammar exercise
Fill each gap with a comparative adjective (one word). Use the signal word for context.
1. This term, pupils who (opened) scored ___ in tests than others.
2. So far, pupils who (waited) have ___ scores than early users.
3. This week, children who (picked) were ___ focused than before.
4. Since then, early users (scored) did ___ in maths than late users.
5. Already, experts who (recommend) give ___ advice than others.
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- What rules could parents set to reduce phone checking during study time?
- How might schools help students build healthy social media habits?
- Do you think age limits for social media would work? Why or why not?
- Have you ever felt distracted by notifications? How did it affect your study?