Tech

Study Links High Screen Time in Early Childhood to Lower Reading and Maths Scores

Published

6 months ago

October 11, 2025

Children who spend more time on screens in their early years may perform worse in reading and mathematics during primary school, according to a new long-term study from Canada.

Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the research tracked more than 3,000 children in Ontario from 2008 to 2023, examining how screen habits between infancy and middle childhood affected later academic outcomes. Researchers linked parent-reported data on screen use — including television, video games, and digital devices such as tablets and smartphones — to results from standardized tests taken in grades three and six, roughly at ages eight and eleven.

The findings showed that children with higher levels of total screen time tended to achieve lower scores in both reading and maths. The negative associations were strongest for time spent watching TV and using digital devices, while the study found no clear link between screen use and writing performance.

Only one in five parents reported that their children played video games, but among those who did, the effects appeared to differ by gender. Girls who played video games performed worse in grade three reading and maths than boys with similar habits.

Dr. Catherine Birken, senior child health scientist at Toronto’s SickKids Research Institute and one of the study’s authors, said the results highlight the need for early intervention. “These findings underscore the importance of developing healthy screen habits for young children and their families,” she said.

While the study adds to growing concern over excessive screen use, the authors cautioned that the results show a correlation, not causation. Because the data relied on parental reporting, it may also contain bias.

Experts outside the study urged restraint in interpreting the findings. Chris Ferguson, a psychology professor at Stetson University, said that while such studies are valuable, “the real-world implications are much less certain.” He noted that moderate screen use, particularly when educational or supervised, may not be harmful.

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that children aged two to four should have no more than one hour of screen time daily, and that babies under one year old should not be exposed to screens at all.

However, other research suggests that not all screen time is detrimental. A 2025 European Union working group report found that moderate and interactive screen use, especially when parents are involved, can support language development in young children.

Despite differing opinions, the new Canadian study reinforces ongoing calls for balance — encouraging families to manage children’s screen exposure while promoting offline activities that foster early learning.

Tech

Study Finds AI Use May Weaken Basic Problem-Solving Skills

Published

7 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Web Reporter

A new study suggests that relying on artificial intelligence for simple tasks such as basic maths and reading comprehension could reduce a person’s ability to think independently, even after short periods of use.

The research, released as a preprint, involved 1,200 participants who were asked to complete a series of fraction-based maths problems and reading comprehension exercises. Some participants were allowed to use AI tools for most of the tasks, while others completed the exercises without assistance.

Initial results showed that those using AI performed better when the technology was available, solving more questions correctly. However, when access to AI was removed, their performance declined noticeably. Participants who had relied on AI were more likely to answer questions incorrectly or skip them altogether compared to those who had worked through the problems independently from the start.

Researchers said the findings point to a potential dependency effect, where short-term gains in accuracy come at the cost of reduced cognitive engagement. Even brief reliance on AI appeared to weaken problem-solving skills, raising concerns about how widespread use of such tools could affect learning and intellectual development over time.

The study’s authors compared the effect to a gradual process in which small, seemingly harmless changes accumulate into more significant consequences. They warned that frequent dependence on AI for routine thinking tasks could lead to long-term challenges, particularly in education and skill development.

The results also highlight a broader debate about the role of AI in everyday life. While the technology can improve efficiency and provide quick answers, researchers argue that it may also discourage critical thinking if used excessively for tasks that individuals can perform on their own.

To address these concerns, the study recommends designing AI systems with more awareness of long-term user outcomes. Instead of providing direct answers in every situation, such systems could guide users through problems, encouraging them to think independently while offering support when necessary.

The authors likened this approach to a mentor who helps a student understand a concept without solving the problem for them. They argue that balancing assistance with cognitive effort could help preserve users’ problem-solving abilities while still benefiting from technological support.

Although the study has not yet undergone peer review, its findings add to growing discussions about how artificial intelligence is shaping human thinking and learning habits.

Tech

Meta Launches Muse Spark, Its First Major AI Model in Nine Months

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2026

Web Reporter

Meta has unveiled its first major AI model in nine months, following a $14.3 billion (€12.24 billion) investment spree and executive hiring push to rival OpenAI and Google. The American tech company introduced the model, called Muse Spark, on Wednesday, claiming it is faster and smarter than its previous technologies.

The company, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI in June 2025 and recruited its CEO and co-founder, Alexandr Wang, to oversee Meta Superintelligence Labs, which houses teams working on foundational AI models. Zuckerberg also embarked on a hiring campaign, bringing in executives from competitors including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

In a blog post, Meta said, “Over the last nine months, Meta Superintelligence Labs rebuilt our AI stack from the ground up, moving faster than any development cycle we have run before. This initial model is small and fast by design, yet capable enough to reason through complex questions in science, math, and health. It is a powerful foundation, and the next generation is already in development.”

Muse Spark is positioned as a significant upgrade over Meta’s last major release, Llama 4, launched in April 2025. The company highlighted that the model excels in advanced reasoning, particularly in scientific, mathematical, and medical queries. To improve its health advice capabilities, Meta worked with over 1,000 physicians to curate training data, aiming for more accurate and comprehensive responses.

The AI model will power the company’s digital assistant in the Meta AI app and website, with planned integration across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses. A “contemplating mode” will gradually roll out, allowing multiple AI agents to reason in parallel on complex tasks. Meta’s technical blog noted this feature is designed to compete with high-level reasoning in models such as Gemini Deep Think and GPT Pro.

Zuckerberg emphasized on social media that Meta aims to build AI products that “don’t just answer your questions but act as agents that do things for you.” Unlike conventional chatbots, these AI agents operate autonomously, gathering information based on user preferences to assist without direct human commands.

One notable shift for Meta is the move away from open-source AI models. Unlike earlier releases, Muse Spark is not available for public download, meaning access to the technology is currently restricted. The company said the model is initially available only in the United States.

Muse Spark underscores Meta’s aggressive push into the competitive AI market, combining extensive investment, executive recruitment, and technical innovation to challenge the dominance of established players like OpenAI and Google.

Tech

OpenAI Urges Governments to Rethink Economy as AI Growth Accelerates

Published

1 week ago

April 7, 2026

Web Reporter

OpenAI has called on governments to rethink the foundations of the economy, warning that artificial intelligence (AI) could soon surpass human intelligence and drastically change how people work, live, and pay taxes. The company outlined its initial policy ideas on Monday, aimed at mitigating the economic disruption caused by rapid AI adoption in the United States and worldwide.

One key proposal is the creation of a public wealth fund that would give citizens a direct stake in AI-driven economic growth. According to the policy document, the fund could invest in diversified, long-term assets, including AI companies and broader firms adopting AI technologies, with returns distributed to all citizens.

The company also suggested that governments encourage businesses to launch four-day workweek pilot programs without any reduction in pay. This approach aims to balance the productivity gains provided by AI with the well-being of workers. Lawmakers are also urged to modernize tax systems by increasing taxation on corporate income and capital gains instead of labor income, which could be affected by AI-related job losses. The report proposes additional measures, such as taxing companies that replace human labor with automation.

OpenAI recommends that social benefits, including retirement pensions and healthcare, be provided through portable accounts that follow individuals across different jobs, industries, and entrepreneurial ventures. This model would help ensure continuity of support in a labor market increasingly influenced by AI.

These recommendations echo broader discussions among AI leaders about the future of work. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI’s Elon Musk have previously highlighted universal basic income as a potential necessity as traditional employment declines. Other tech leaders, including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Zoom’s Eric Yuan, have advocated shorter workweeks to distribute productivity gains from AI more evenly.

Concerns about AI’s long-term impact extend beyond economics. In January, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that superintelligent AI, capable of outpacing human decision-making, poses “existential danger.” He suggested tighter controls on the export of key technologies, such as semiconductor chips used to train large language models, as one way to manage the risk. Amodei also called for transparency laws requiring AI companies to disclose how they guide their models’ behavior.

OpenAI’s policy document represents an early step in urging governments to address the structural changes AI may bring. The proposals highlight the need to rethink traditional concepts of work, taxation, and social support as the technology continues to advance rapidly.

As AI continues to reshape global economies, policymakers and industry leaders face increasing pressure to develop strategies that protect citizens while fostering innovation and sustainable growth.