Researchers have found a link between the age of first social media use and academic performance in over 5,000 Italian school children. The study published in Nature Human Behaviour discovered that students who started using social media at 11 or 12 years old generally performed worse on standardized tests in mathematics and Italian compared to those who waited until they were at least 14. While the research does not definitively prove that social media causes poorer academic performance, it highlights factors such as constant phone checking and interruptions during homework, sleep, family time, and concentration as potential concerns. The study's findings are particularly relevant for Indian parents, who should consider when their children start using social media, how often they use it, and its impact on other aspects of their lives.