Digital divide: 76% of teens use smartphones for social media, boys lead way

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 reveals significant insights into the digital literacy of Indian adolescents, highlighting a growing reliance on smartphones for both educational and social media purposes. The report indicates that while a majority of teenagers are adept at using smartphones, there remains a concerning gap in their educational usage.

Rising Smartphone Proficiency

The ASER 2024 report, released on January 28, shows that over 82% of children aged 14-16 know how to use a smartphone. However, only 57% engage in educational activities on these devices. This disparity raises questions about how effectively digital tools are being utilized for learning in rural areas. The survey reached 649,491 children across 605 rural districts, emphasizing the increasing penetration of technology in their lives.

Gender Disparities in Usage

The report highlights a notable gender gap in smartphone ownership and usage. While 85.5% of boys reported owning a smartphone, only 79.4% of girls did. Furthermore, boys are more likely to use smartphones for social media (78.8%) compared to girls (73.4%). This trend suggests that despite high levels of digital literacy among adolescents, girls may face barriers to fully engaging with technology for both educational and social purposes.

Kerala's Digital Advantage

Kerala stands out as a leader in smartphone usage for education, with over 80% of children using smartphones for educational activities and more than 90% for social media engagement. This contrasts sharply with other states like Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, where smartphone ownership and usage lag behind national averages. The report indicates that increased access to smartphones has led to improved digital skills among students.

Impact of the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced smartphone usage patterns, as many students relied on these devices for accessing educational materials during lockdowns. The ASER report notes that the main use of smartphones during this period was as carriers of texts and videos, which replaced traditional textbooks. As digital literacy improves among adolescents post-pandemic, there is hope for better educational outcomes moving forward.