The relationship between teenagers’ phone use and their mental health has been a growing concern for years. In fact, researchers such as Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge have linked the emergence of smartphones and social media as the attentional centerpiece of teenage life to a sharp decline in student well-being beginning around 2012. Some have gone so far as to suggest that smartphone use is systematically reducing student achievement.
Recently, the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) released its latest report, which tests 15-year-olds in math, reading, and science in nearly 80 countries every three years. The PISA is the world’s most renowned measure of student ability and often provides fodder for critics of America’s school system.
However, this year’s report sends a different message. Although Americans did score lower in math than in any other year in the history of the test, there was a more pressing matter at hand. COVID-induced learning loss created an unprecedented drop in performance globally, which was nearly three times as large as any other prior change.
The PISA report also highlights America’s persistent inequalities. Black and Hispanic students consistently scored below Asian and white students, who tend to perform equally as well as their peers across the globe. COVID only amplified these inequalities, leading to a significant and alarming drop in test scores.
The impact of COVID on student performance has been a concern for quite some time. Although many countries implemented virtual learning solutions, students still experienced significant disruptions to their education. For some, this meant a complete halt to their education; for others, it meant having to juggle online school with other responsibilities and distractions.
Furthermore, the latest PISA report reveals a correlation between increased smartphone use and poorer student performance. With smartphones and social media occupying a central role in the lives of today’s teenagers, it is essential for educators and parents to monitor and limit their use to ensure that students can develop the skills necessary to succeed academically and mentally.
In conclusion, the latest PISA report makes it clear that the impact of COVID on student learning has been significant and, in many ways, unprecedented. With an alarming drop in test scores globally and persistent inequalities in the American education system, it’s critical that educators and policymakers work together to develop effective strategies to help students overcome the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.