Archive · 27 Sep 2026
PISA 2025 Shows Student Scores Falling As Screen Time Rises
A worldwide test checks how well 15-year-old students understand math, reading, and science.
The newest results show that scores have gone down in many countries.
Math, reading, and science scores are all lower than they were years ago.
The biggest drops happened after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study also looked at how much time students spend using digital devices.
Students using devices for about one hour a day had the highest science scores.
Students using them for many hours tended to have lower scores.
However, the study shows a connection, not proof that screen time caused the lower scores.
Average mathematics scores fell from 501 in 2006 to 469 in 2025 across 23 countries.
Reading scores declined from 495 to 466, while science scores dropped from 503 to 486.
Performance declines have been sharpest since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in mathematics and reading.
Students using digital devices for up to one hour daily had the highest average science score, at 507.
Students spending more than five hours daily on devices averaged 434 in science, though the data do not prove causation.
- Who
- Fifteen-year-old students across 23 countries, assessed through the Programme for International Student Assessment.
- What
- The 2025 assessment found declining average scores in mathematics, reading, and science, alongside an association between heavier device use and lower science scores.
- When
- The latest assessment was conducted in 2025, with scores compared with results from 2006 and later years.
- Where
- Across 23 countries participating in the assessment.
- Why
- The results are being examined because student performance has declined and heavier digital-device use is associated with weaker learning outcomes.
Association Indicates Concern
Causation Not Established
Screen time and performance
Association Indicates Concern
Science scores generally declined as reported device use increased, with students using devices five to seven hours daily averaging 434.
Causation Not Established
The report identifies a relationship but does not prove that screen time directly caused lower scores.
Digital-device use
Association Indicates Concern
Heavy device use is associated with poorer learning outcomes and may warrant concern about excessive screen exposure.
Causation Not Established
Moderate use may be beneficial: students using devices for up to one hour daily scored 507, while students reporting no use scored 499.
Overall learning decline
Association Indicates Concern
Declining scores in all three subjects, particularly mathematics and reading, indicate broad difficulties among students.
Causation Not Established
The assessment shows a trend in test results, but the supplied findings do not establish a single cause for the declines.
- Assessment
- Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025
- Organiser
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- Mathematics trend
- Average score fell from 501 in 2006 to 469 in 2025
- Reading trend
- Average score fell from 495 in 2006 to 466 in 2025
- Science trend
- Average score fell from 503 in 2006 to 486 in 2025
- Highest device-use group score
- Students using devices for up to one hour daily averaged 507 in science
- Lowest reported score
- Students using devices five to seven hours daily averaged 434 in science