Italian study: Early use of social media reduces chances of academic success - Sarmad

A recent Italian study has warned that children’s early use of social media platforms may negatively affect their academic performance later on, amid growing global debate over the appropriate age for using such apps.

The German science website Wissenschaft cited research conducted by the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, led by Marco Goy and in collaboration with the University of Brescia, which followed more than 5,200 students over several years. The study found that those who began using social media in sixth grade saw a decline in their math and Italian language performance compared to those who started in ninth grade, with the gap equivalent to half a school year by the time they reached tenth grade.

The researchers clarified that the negative impact was observed in Italian and math, but not in English, attributing this to the prevalence of English-language content on social platforms. They also noted that their study controlled for factors such as family background and prior academic performance to enhance accuracy.

Several countries, including Australia and France, have imposed age restrictions, while the German Ethics Council has favored stricter oversight of platforms rather than a blanket ban. Meanwhile, studies point to additional risks such as cyberbullying and addiction.