Summary
A study published in JAMA shows that preteens who use more social media score lower on reading and memory tests as they grow older. It suggests a link between increased social media use and weaker cognitive abilities, such as reading and memory, in adolescents.
Key Facts
- The study looked at the effects of social media use on children aged 9 to 10 and followed them into their early teens.
- Researchers used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study.
- About 58% of the kids used little to no social media over the years.
- Around 37% of the kids increased their social media use to about one hour daily by age 13.
- Approximately 6% of the children used social media for three or more hours daily by age 13.
- The study found that children using social media more performed worse on reading and memory tests.
- Even kids with moderate social media use scored slightly lower than those with minimal or no use.
- The study highlights concerns about even small amounts of social media use affecting learning, especially during school hours.
