Teen Reading Levels Drop to Century Low Amid Increased Screen Time
A global assessment of student performance conducted in 2025 revealed that teenagers are reading at the lowest levels since data collection began in 2000. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported a decline across all subjects—reading, mathematics, and science—with students now performing as if they were one year younger than previous cohorts. Reading scores dropped from a high of 501 in 2012 to 466 by 2025 on the PISA index. The OECD attributed this decline partly to increased screen time and reduced reading for pleasure, with students often rushing through texts without comprehension. The impact was more pronounced among wealthier students. Additionally, digital devices were found to hinder science scores in most education systems studied, while AI chatbots used by nearly half of the students showed a negative correlation with academic performance. Despite noting these challenges, the OECD emphasized that technology can still support learning when used responsibly—ideally no more than five hours per day. East Asian countries and some European nations like Britain and Estonia remained top performers in education.
