Social Media Use Linked to Lower Reading and Memory Scores in Children
Udumbara
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Just over an hour of additional social media use each day is enough to drag down adolescents’ reading and memory scores, according to a new study that tracked more than 6,500 children as their screen time climbed during early adolescence.
Small Increases, Measurable Impact
The study, recently published in JAMA, divided participants into three groups based on their social media habits: in one, about 58 percent showed no or very low social media use, in another, 37 percent had low increasing use, and in a final group, nearly 6 percent demonstrated high increasing social media use.Compared to adolescents who used up to around 20 minutes of social media daily, those who used around 80 minutes a day read fewer words correctly and made more mistakes when tasked to match a word they heard to a corresponding image. They also performed worse on a memory test. Those with high increasing use, adding roughly three hours per day, scored up to four points lower on the tests.
“This analysis found that both low and high increases in social media use throughout early adolescence were significantly associated with lower performance in specific aspects of cognitive function,” the study authors wrote.
‘Real World’ Impact
The cognitive differences between children who use social media for long periods of time as compared to those who do not are likely meaningful at the population level, Sheri Madigan, a registered clinical psychologist from the University of Calgary, and colleagues pointed out in an accompanying editorial.“Subtle differences in cognition at a group level may translate into students taking longer on average to complete assignments; falling behind in cumulative subjects, such as math and reading; or disengaging academically altogether,” they wrote.
However, experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions about causation.
It’s hard to say that social media alone causes these changes, Dr. Nona Kocher, a Miami-based psychiatrist at Quintessence Psychiatry, and not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times.
“The study shows a link, but not proof of cause and effect,” she added. “Kids who spend more time online might also be sleeping less, reading less, or multitasking more, all of which can affect memory and focus.”
The home environment, school workload, and personality traits can also play a role, she said. “So, social media might be part of the picture, but it’s likely one piece of a much bigger puzzle.”
Screens Are ‘Hijacking’ Children’s Time
Dr. Rahul Bansal, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and founder of MindWeal Health, who was not involved in the study, frames the issue as one of displaced activity rather than direct harm.“I don’t think social media is rewiring kids’ brains or acting like a toxin, but it’s definitely hijacking their time,” he told The Epoch Times. Every hour spent scrolling is an hour not spent reading, learning, or trying something new, he added.
“The brain grows when it’s challenged—and social media replaces that challenge with constant stimulation,” Bansal said, adding that it also promotes poor habits, such as staying up late and losing sleep, which lead to problems with focusing in class. “When sleep and curiosity go down, learning always takes a hit.”
Bansal advises parents not to ban social media use, but rather to “coach” it. He recommends setting clear limits and making screen time something children earn after finishing their daily responsibilities, “like a paycheck.”
“Keep devices out of bedrooms, create quiet time before bed, and know which platforms they’re using,” he said. “Used thoughtfully, social media can help kids connect—without stealing their focus or sleep.”
Heavy use can raise anxiety or depression in some teens, particularly when they compare themselves to others or become trapped in constant “online feedback loops,” Kocher noted. The new study expands understanding into the cognitive realm, an area where less research has been conducted.
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