Global decline in literacy and the impact of short-form video consumption

A report from the OECD’s second Survey of Adult Skills, published in December 2024, reveals a concerning trend across 31 countries where literacy and numeracy levels have either stagnated or declined over the past decade. Only Denmark and Finland showed improvements in average literacy. Experts, such as Rose Horowitch writing in The Atlantic, suggest society is shifting toward a 'postliterate' state, where individuals are surrounded by text but losing the capacity for sustained reading.

Scientific data supports this shift, as a meta-analysis of 71 studies involving 98,299 participants identified a clear link between heavy short-form video consumption and reduced cognitive performance. The research indicates that increased use of these platforms negatively impacts attention spans and inhibitory control across all age groups. Critics argue this decline is not coincidental but a consequence of business models designed to foster precise habit formation, with platforms like TikTok cited as notable examples of companies that utilize such data-driven engagement strategies.