Viral US teacher video raises alarm over teens’ reading and thinking skills

A viral social media post by a US middle school teacher has reignited concerns about declining reading and critical-thinking skills among teenagers, raising fresh questions about the impact of screens, social media, and learning gaps in classrooms.

In a TikTok video that has gained widespread attention, an eighth-grade history teacher from Dallas, Texas, identified only as “Ms. L,” said only two of her roughly 110 students are reading at grade level. She added that dozens of her students read at elementary or even kindergarten levels, despite being 13 or 14 years old.

Ms. L said many of her students struggle with basic tasks such as drawing inferences, understanding multi-step questions, and connecting cause and effect — skills she described as fundamental to learning. “It’s scaring me a little,” she said, noting that the issue appears increasingly common rather than isolated.

National data appear to support her concerns. According to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, about 70 percent of US eighth graders scored below proficiency in reading, while 40 percent were classified as “below basic.”

The video sparked thousands of comments from educators, parents, and even students, some saying the problem spans multiple age groups. Others pointed to heavy screen use and social media exposure as possible contributors, with commenters blaming a lack of consequences, shortened attention spans, and overreliance on digital devices.

The discussion has also drawn attention to policy responses abroad. Australia recently implemented a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16, citing concerns over mental health and excessive screen time. Some US states, including Virginia, are moving toward limits on daily social media use for minors starting in 2026.