Early social media use linked to lower academic scores in Italian study

A longitudinal study conducted in Northern Italy, involving over 5,000 students, has linked early social media use to decreased academic performance. Researchers from the University of Milano-Bicocca and the University of Brescia found that students who opened their first social media accounts between the ages of 11 and 13 scored lower in mathematics and language arts compared to those who waited until at least age 14.

The impact is estimated to be equivalent to approximately six months of lost academic progress by age 16. The study noted a significant decline in math scores (0.27 standard deviations) and language scores (0.22 standard deviations). Interestingly, English scores remained unaffected, which researchers suggest may be due to the high volume of English-language content on these platforms.

Key drivers of this academic decline include the "pervasiveness" of smartphones and a state of "continuous alert" caused by frequent notifications and constant checking of devices, which disrupts focus and cognitive engagement. The findings suggest that delaying autonomous access to social media until age 14 may help protect academic achievement.