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More teens use smartphones for social media than education: ASER Report

Excessive mobile phone usage affects memory of teens

A new survey reveals that while 57% of children aged 14-16 use smartphones for educational purposes, a significantly higher 76% access social media on their devices, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 released on Tuesday.

The report found that over 82% of children in this age group know how to use a smartphone, with boys more likely than girls to own one. Conducted by Pratham, ASER 2024 surveyed 6,49,491 children across 17,997 villages in 605 rural districts of India, focusing on education and digital literacy.

For the first time, the survey included a digital literacy section, assessing smartphone access, ownership, and usage, along with basic digital skills.

Key findings include:

Smartphone ownership among teens remains low but increases with age:

Household smartphone access has risen dramatically, from 36% in 2018 to 84% in 2024. While home access is nearly saturated, smartphone ownership among 14-16-year-olds jumped from 19% to 31% in just one year.

During the pandemic, smartphones became essential for education, delivering study materials and virtual training. While some practices have faded, digital skills persist, with growing interest in artificial intelligence, the report noted.

Source: PTI

Also read: COVID-era rise in govt school enrolment reversed; learning loss recovered: ASER

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