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Teens Read Worst Ever: Smartphones Blamed
8 Sep
Summary
- Global reading scores are at their lowest point this century.
- Increased screen time and less pleasure reading linked to decline.
- East Asia leads global education performance, with Britain and Estonia in top 10.
A recent global assessment of 760,000 15-year-olds has revealed that reading scores have fallen to their lowest point since data collection began in 2000. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicates that students are now reading at a level previously expected of one-year-younger peers. This decline is linked to increased screen time and a reduction in reading for pleasure.
Beyond reading, average scores in mathematics and science have also reached their lowest levels this century. East Asian countries, including those from China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, demonstrated the highest educational performance. Britain and Estonia were the only nations outside this region to secure top-10 rankings in reading, mathematics, and science.
The report notes a correlation between digital distraction and lower science scores, with over a quarter of students reporting devices disrupting classroom lessons. Students using AI chatbots regularly for learning tasks, such as essay drafting or summarization, generally scored lower in science, indicating a potential trade-off in learning outcomes despite technological integration.
