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A new study links consistent social media use with declines in literacy

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Regular social media use during early adolescence is linked to weaker reading and vocabulary development over time, new research shows.

• Teens who spend more time on social platforms are more likely to struggle with recognizing and pronouncing words.

• The findings come as governments worldwide weigh restrictions on youth social media use, including Australias recent ban for children under 16.

If your childs grades have started to suffer, there may be a reason other than not doing their homework.

A new study from the University of Georgia is raising concerns about how frequent social media use may be shaping young minds, linking higher daily use among adolescents to declines in reading ability and vocabulary development over time.

The research, published in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, analyzed longitudinal data from more than 10,000 participants in the ongoing Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. Tracking children from around age 10 over the course of six years, researchers found that those who used social media more frequently showed weaker progress in reading and vocabulary skills across four years.

Lead author Cory Carvalho said the findings reflect how the brain adapts to repeated behaviors.

The brain is like a muscle, Carvalho said. If kids spend over eight hours a day using social media, thats what their brains are going to adapt to and be wired for.

What exactly is time cost?

Researchers suggest the issue may be partly due to what they call a time cost. Time spent scrolling, posting, and engaging online may displace activities like reading, which are critical for language development.

Theres a time cost to social media use, Carvalho said. If youre spending time doing one thing, that means youre not spending time doing another thing.

The study also found that adolescents who frequently use social media tend to struggle more with attention control. Constant notifications and multitasking may fragment focus, though researchers note the relationship could work both ways teens who already have trouble concentrating may be more drawn to social platforms.

Not entirely a bad thing

Despite the concerns, the researchers emphasized that social medias effects are not entirely negative. Adolescents who used social media more often demonstrated faster information processing speeds and quicker reaction times in screen-based tests.

Its not necessarily that social media is having only these negative effects or only these positive effects, said co-author Niyantri Ravindran. But the negative effects on vocabulary and reading are more expected because social media may reduce opportunities to engage in higher-level cognitive skills.

The study arrives at a time of growing global debate over childrens access to social media. Australia recently became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16, and other nations are considering similar measures. Days ago, a jury in New Mexico found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, liable in the death of a child. Meanwhile, platforms are increasingly rolling out age verification tools.

Researchers say the findings add to the urgency of understanding how digital habits affect childhood development.

Recommendations

To help mitigate potential downsides, the studys authors recommend that parents limit screen time, particularly before bedtime, and consider delaying smartphone ownership. For families needing to stay in touch, simpler phones without social media access may be a practical alternative.

Social media is new, so everybodys trying to figure out what we do with this new paradigm, Carvalho said. Hopefully, we settle on some norms that work for kids and not for profits.

The international economic group predicts U.S. inflation could reach 4%

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Global inflation is now projected to reaccelerate to around 4% in 2026, reversing earlier expectations of steady decline.

• The OECD warns energy shocks from the Middle East conflict are the primary driver, with oil prices surging and feeding through to consumer costs.

• U.S. inflation could climb as high as 4.2% or more, with risks of a prolonged period above central bank targets.

The U.S. inflation rate was fairly moderate at 2.4% before February 28. But after the U.S.and Israel launched an attack on Iran, oil prices have surged. Now, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)predicts the world will face higher-than-expected inflation for the rest of the year, including the United States.

The United States faces particularly strong upward pressure. OECD projections suggest inflation could reach about 4.2% in 2026 well above previous estimates and among the highest rates in advanced economies.

The Paris-based organization said recent disruptions to energy and commodity markets triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East have sharply altered the inflation trajectory that had been expected to ease this year.

Higher oil prices affect everything

At the center of the shift is a surge in oil prices, which have jumped above $100 per barrel after supply disruptions linked to the conflict. Higher fuel costs are feeding through to transportation, food, and industrial inputs, raising prices across a wide range of goods and services.

Other major economies are also seeing upward revisions. In the United Kingdom, for example, inflation is now expected to hit around 4% in 2026, reflecting both higher energy costs and broader price pressures.

The report marks a turning point in the global inflation narrative. After two years of tightening monetary policy and gradual disinflation, the OECD now sees energy prices as the dominant short-term driver of inflation risks.

If elevated oil and commodity prices persist, inflation could remain above central bank targets longer than expected, forcing policymakers to keep interest rates higher for longer.

The OECD emphasized that the duration of the inflation spike depends heavily on how long the geopolitical disruption lasts. A prolonged period of constrained energy supply would continue to push up business costs and consumer prices, while also weighing on economic growth.

As viewership shifts away from TV, the cost of streaming is rising

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Netflix has announced another round of subscription price increases across several of its plans.

• The company cites rising production costs and continued investment in original content as key reasons.

• The changes are expected to roll out gradually, affecting both new and existing subscribers.

If you have a Netflix subscription, almost regardless of the level, prepare to pay more.

Netflix is once again increasing the cost of its subscriptions, marking the latest in a series of price hikes as the streaming giant doubles down on original programming and global expansion. Netflix last raised rates in January 2025.

The company confirmed that several of its plans will see higher monthly fees in the coming months, with adjustments varying by region and subscription tier. Most plans will increase by $1. While Netflix did not present the move as abrupt, the increases reflect a broader industry trend: streaming is becoming more expensive as competition intensifies and content budgets swell.

In a statement, Netflix emphasized that the price changes are tied to its ongoing investment in content.

As we continue to deliver more value to our members through a wider variety of high-quality series, films, and live programming, we occasionally ask our members to pay a bit more, the company said.

Where costs will rise most

The standard and premium plans are expected to see the most noticeable increases, while lower-cost, ad-supported tiers may remain unchanged in some markets. Analysts say this strategy allows Netflix to retain price-sensitive users, while encouraging upgrades from those seeking an ad-free experience.

The timing of the increase comes as Netflix continues to report steady subscriber growth after a turbulent period in recent years. Its push into live events, gaming, and international productions has broadened its appeal, but also significantly increased operational costs.

For example, this week, Netflix streamed MLB Opening Night, a game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants.

Other streamers also raising rates

Industry experts note that Netflix is not alone. Competitors such as Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max have also raised prices recently, signaling a shift away from the low-cost model that defined early streaming.

As viewership continues to shift from traditional TV to the internet, the era of cheap streaming is ending. Consumers are now paying closer to what traditional cable once cost just spread across multiple services.

For subscribers, the impact will depend on their current plan and region. Existing users will typically receive advance notice before the new pricing takes effect, giving them the option to change or cancel their subscription.

The international economic group predicts US inflation could reach 4%

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Global inflation is now projected to reaccelerate to around 4% in 2026, reversing earlier expectations of steady decline

• The OECD warns energy shocks from the Middle East conflict are the primary driver, with oil prices surging and feeding through to consumer costs

• U.S. inflation could climb as high as 4.2% or more, with risks of a prolonged period above central bank targets

The U.S. inflation rate was fairly moderate at 2.4% Before February 28. But after the U.S.and Israel launched an attack on Iran, oil prices have surged. Now, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development predicts the world will face higher-than-expected inflation for the rest of the year, including the United States.

The United States faces particularly strong upward pressure. OECD projections suggest inflation could reach about 4.2% in 2026well above previous estimates and among the highest rates in advanced economies.

The Paris-based organization said recent disruptions to energy and commodity marketstriggered by escalating conflict in the Middle Easthave sharply altered the inflation trajectory that had been expected to ease this year.

Higher oil prices affect everything

At the center of the shift is a surge in oil prices, which have jumped above $100 per barrel after supply disruptions linked to the conflict. Higher fuel costs are feeding through to transportation, food, and industrial inputs, raising prices across a wide range of goods and services.

Other major economies are also seeing upward revisions. In the United Kingdom, for example, inflation is now expected to hit around 4% in 2026, reflecting both higher energy costs and broader price pressures.

The report marks a turning point in the global inflation narrative. After two years of tightening monetary policy and gradual disinflation, the OECD now sees energy prices as the dominant short-term driver of inflation risks.

If elevated oil and commodity prices persist, inflation could remain above central bank targets longer than expected, forcing policymakers to keep interest rates higher for longer.

The OECD emphasized that the duration of the inflation spike depends heavily on how long the geopolitical disruption lasts. A prolonged period of constrained energy supply would continue to push up business costs and consumer prices, while also weighing on economic growth.