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Social media use linked to lower reading and memory scores in children, new study finds

By isabelle // 2025-11-18

• A new study links social media use to declining academic performance in children.
• Heavy social media use lowers scores on reading and memory tests.
• Excessive scrolling displaces time for crucial learning and brain development.
• It also promotes poor sleep habits, further harming cognitive function.
• Schools and parents are now pushing back with lawsuits and classroom bans.

A silent crisis is unfolding in the minds of our children, and its source is the very device in their pocket. A groundbreaking new study tracking more than 6,500 children has delivered a sobering verdict on social media, revealing that its use is directly linked to declining academic abilities. The research provides concrete evidence for what many parents have long suspected: the endless scroll is crippling the cognitive development of a generation. This is not just about wasted time; it is about a fundamental rewiring of childhood that threatens to leave our kids intellectually impoverished. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, followed children aged 9 to 13, meticulously measuring their social media habits and cognitive skills. Researchers found that even small increases in daily use were enough to drag down performance. Adolescents who used social media for around 80 minutes daily performed worse on reading and memory tests than their peers who used it for only 20 minutes.

The toll of constant scrolling

For the heaviest users, the consequences were even more pronounced. The study identified a group of children whose social media use grew to roughly three hours per day. These children scored up to four points lower on standardized cognitive tests. While a few points may seem insignificant to some, the researchers warn these differences can have real-world academic consequences, potentially causing students to fall behind in cumulative subjects like math and reading. This is the canary in the coal mine for a much larger educational breakdown. The pervasive nature of this issue cannot be overstated. Consider that up to 95% of youth aged 13-17 use social media, with one-third using it almost constantly. The problem is creeping into ever-younger age groups, with 40% of children aged 8-12 now on platforms. This mass experiment on developing brains is happening without our full consent, facilitated by tech giants who have turned our children into a product. So what is actually happening to these young minds? Experts suggest the mechanism is not one of direct poisoning, but of displacement. Dr. Rahul Bansal, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, frames the issue with clarity. "I don’t think social media is rewiring kids’ brains or acting like a toxin, but it’s definitely hijacking their time," he said. Every hour spent scrolling is an hour not spent reading, learning, or trying something new.

A battle for our children's minds

This hijacking has a cascading effect. "The brain grows when it’s challenged—and social media replaces that challenge with constant stimulation," Bansal added. The platforms also promote poor habits, such as staying up late, which directly harms cognitive function. This aligns with a U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory which noted that excessive social media use can compromise children’s sleep and reduce crucial face-to-face interactions, both of which are pillars of healthy development. The findings arrive as schools and parents are increasingly pushing back against the tech invasion. Hundreds of school districts are suing social media companies, and states are enacting cellphone bans in classrooms. This study provides the hard data to justify these actions, moving the conversation beyond anecdotal concerns to measurable academic harm. It reveals that the threat is not merely to mental well-being, but to the very capacity to learn. We must view this through a historical lens. Past generations worried about television, but social media is a different beast entirely. It is an active, engaging, and algorithmically-driven environment designed to maximize screen time. As one expert noted, general screen time is passive, but social media demands direct engagement, leaving less cognitive capacity for scholastic performance. Our children’s brains are being trained for distraction, not depth. The path forward requires vigilance and a return to foundational principles. Bansal advises parents not to ban social media outright, but to "coach" it. This means setting clear limits, keeping devices out of bedrooms, and making screen time something children earn after finishing responsibilities. It is about reclaiming parental authority in a digital age that seeks to undermine it. The evidence is now undeniable. The relentless drip of social media is eroding the intellectual foundations of our youth, trading vocabulary for viral videos and memory for memes. This is a battle for the future of our children's minds, and it is a battle we cannot afford to lose. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com NYPost.com EdWeek.org

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