Effects of Digital Media Use on Academic Achievement: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

Abstract

We analyzed data from a three-wave longitudinal survey of elementary, junior high, and high school students in Japan to determine the effects of digital media use on academic achievement. The time spent on digital media use increased at each developmental stage. A cross-lagged panel model was used to identify the causal relationship between digital media use and reading, study time, and academic achievement. No direct impact was found for digital media use on academic achievement at any developmental stage. Various influence relationships were found in high school students. The results suggest that digital media use does not replace reading time, but it does replace study time and has a negative impact on academic achievement.