Observed Signal · Aug 3, 2026 · Research Publication · Source: t3n · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Early Instagram/TikTok Use Lowers School Grades
Researchers led by Marco Gui at the University of Milano‑Bicocca surveyed more than 5,000 Italian students about the age they created their first social‑media account and compared later mathematics, Italian (native language) and English test results. Published in Nature Human Behaviour, the study found that students who opened accounts in sixth–eighth grade performed worse on average in later math and Italian tests and were more likely to repeat a year than those who waited until ninth grade or later; the gap corresponded to roughly half a school year in some comparisons. English scores did not show a disadvantage, which the authors link to abundant English‑language content on platforms. Analyses controlled for parental education and socioeconomic background; authors suggest mechanisms such as distraction, reduced study time, notification interruptions and cognitive overload. The findings feature in European debates on minimum social‑media ages.
Academic study linking early social‑media use to lower school performance is relevant background research but not immediately industry‑shifting for AdTech; it could inform future regulatory debates or platform policies affecting younger users.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Researchers led by Marco Gui at the University of Milano‑Bicocca surveyed more than 5,000 students about the age they first created a social‑media account; the study was published in Nature Human Behaviour.
- Students who opened accounts in sixth–eighth grade scored lower later in mathematics and Italian and were more likely to repeat a year than those who waited until ninth grade or later.
- The observed performance gap amounted to roughly half a school year in some comparisons (e.g., eighth or tenth grade comparisons).
- English test scores showed no average disadvantage for early account creators; authors suggest widespread English content on platforms may aid informal learning.
- Analyses controlled for parental education and family socioeconomic background; authors cite distraction, reduced study time, notification interruptions and cognitive overload as possible mechanisms and note policy relevance in European debates on minimum ages.
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Study: Early Social Media Use Linked to Worse School Grades
An Italian research team led by Marco Gui surveyed over 5,000 pupils to compare those who opened social-media accounts before ninth grade with those who waited until ninth grade or later. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, finds that early account holders (6th–8th grade) scored lower on later tests in mathematics and Italian and were more likely to repeat a grade; English test scores did not show the same decline. Researchers controlled for parental education and socioeconomic background and suggest distraction, reduced study time, and cognitive overload as possible mechanisms. The paper and accompanying expert commentary feed ongoing policy debates in several EU countries about minimum ages for social-media access.
Primary School Children Turning Away from TikTok
A Swiss monitoring study shows regular social-media use among primary-school children (ages 8–12) has halved over four years: only 20% now regularly use channels such as TikTok or Instagram versus 40% in 2020 and 2022. The report — based on roughly 10,000 pupils aged 8–18 — also finds that use of digital devices in Swiss schools has stagnated and that digital tools are being used less frequently in subjects like mathematics and German than in previous years. The finding was reported via Tamedia titles and cites the national monitoring of digitalisation in education.
EU Plans Social Media Ban for Under-13s
The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is proposing regulations to ban children under 13 from major social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, with stricter age verification. The plan, to be formally presented soon, includes a gradual approach: 13-15 year olds would have supervised 'mini-accounts' limited to one hour daily, with full accounts allowed from age 15. Platforms must implement safer designs, such as preventing endless scrolling or autoplay videos, and face mandates on child safety certifications, default private accounts for minors, and restrictions on live streaming. German officials support the initiative, but experts highlight challenges in implementation and enforcement, including potential circumvention, impacts on fundamental rights, and competitive disadvantages for new platforms. The proposal requires approval from the European Parliament and member states, a process that may take months or years.
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