Early Social Media Use Linked to Lower Grades Years Later, Study Finds

Key Points:

• A study published in Nature found that Italian students who started using social media earlier, particularly in 6th grade (ages 11-12), performed worse academically in math and Italian exams by 10th grade, with a performance gap equivalent to about six months of schooling.
• The negative academic impact lessened for students who began social media use in 7th grade and was minimal or non-significant for those starting in 8th grade; early adopters also had a higher likelihood of repeating a grade.
• Researchers suggest that earlier social media adoption leads to excessive engagement and attentional disruption, which worsens academic outcomes over time, even as peers also begin using social media.
• The study's findings align with global moves to restrict social media access for minors, with countries like Australia and France implementing bans for under-15 or under-16 users, citing concerns about addiction and mental health issues linked to early social media exposure.
• While the study advises caution in interpreting results and acknowledges unclear links to mental health, it notes a potential positive effect on English language learning, as early social media use did not negatively impact English exam scores.