{
  "id": 6294338,
  "title": "Teen Reading Slumps to Worst This Century Due to Surge in Screen Time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/teen-reading-slumps-to-worst-this-century-due-to-surge-in-screen-time",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-08T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/09/08/1545207/teen-reading-slumps-to-worst-this-century-due-to-surge-in-screen-time"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Teen reading, math, and science scores have hit their lowest levels in a century, according to the latest international PISA testing. Fifteen-year-olds are now reading at a level typically expected of students a year younger. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) attributes this decline to increased screen time, less reading for pleasure, and digital distractions. Students who frequently use AI chatbots for tasks like essay drafting and text summarization scored about 20 points lower in science, which is roughly equivalent to a year of learning.\n\nThe 2012 reading high of 501 on PISA's index has dropped to a score of 466. The test is considered the world's leading gauge of educational performance, and its results are closely monitored by governments and educators. Mathias Cormann, the head of the OECD, noted that more screen time and less reading for pleasure have contributed to weaker results, adding that there is more \"hasty reading,\" with students rushing through texts and giving incorrect answers.\n\nThe study also revealed that students from better-off backgrounds experienced a sharper decline in reading scores. Average teenage science and math skills were also at their lowest point in a century. Science scores fell from a high of 506 in 2009 to 486, while math scores dropped from 502 to 469. East Asia emerged as the best-performing region, with cities in China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan showcasing exceptional educational systems. Britain and Estonia were the only countries outside the region to rank within the top 10 in reading, math, and science.",
  "summary": "Teen reading, math, and science scores have fallen to their lowest levels since international PISA testing began in 2000, with 15-year-olds now reading at roughly the level previously expected of students a year younger. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) linked weaker results to more screen time, less reading for pleasure, and digital distraction. It also found…",
  "key_points": [
    "Teen reading scores hit century-low of 466 on PISA test",
    "Increased screen time and digital distractions blamed",
    "Better-off students saw sharper reading score decline"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}