Australian teens could gain extra study time from socials

Excel Academics has published an analysis linking Australian teenagers' social media use to potential additional study time. The analysis focuses on Year 11 and 12 students using the company's LearnCEL platform.

It draws on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showing teenagers spend about 100 minutes a day on social media, or more than 600 hours a year. Excel Academics compared that with usage and performance data from LearnCEL to estimate what could happen if part of that time were redirected to structured study.

An average adaptive learning session on LearnCEL lasts about 33 minutes. On that basis, redirecting roughly one-third of daily social media use would create time for one extra focused learning session each day.

LearnCEL is designed to identify gaps in a student's knowledge and assign targeted practice. Across Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics and Biology, students improved concept mastery by an average of about four percentage points per session, according to the analysis.

The analysis also estimated that students need between 4.8 and 8.0 hours of targeted adaptive learning to reach concept mastery across the senior subjects studied, with an average of about 5.7 hours. It argues that even modest changes in daily screen habits could create time for repeated practice and feedback.

Australia's debate over youth social media use has sharpened attention on how teenagers spend time online. This analysis enters that discussion from an education perspective, focusing on potential academic gains rather than regulation or platform safety.

According to the methodology, the modelling combines national data on teenage social media use with anonymised learning analytics from Australian Year 11 and 12 students. Inputs included average daily usage, average session duration on LearnCEL, estimated hours to mastery across senior subjects and observed mastery improvement from completed learning sessions.

Excel Academics presented the findings as an illustration of possible learning opportunities rather than a prediction for every student. It noted that outcomes vary depending on prior knowledge, consistency, subject difficulty and learning conditions.

An Excel Academics spokesperson said the analysis highlights the cumulative effect of small shifts in routine. "Students are constantly balancing competing demands for their attention. This analysis shows that even small changes in how time is used can create meaningful opportunities for more consistent learning and improvement."

Study habits

The tutoring provider also outlined practical measures for students who want to convert some recreational screen time into study time. The suggestions focus less on reducing technology use altogether and more on setting boundaries and using digital tools more deliberately.

One recommendation was to break revision into shorter, manageable blocks rather than attempt long sessions. The aim is to make it easier for students to begin work and maintain concentration.

An Excel Academics tutor said that is a common barrier for many students. "For many students, the biggest challenge is not understanding the content, it's getting started and staying focused. Breaking study into smaller, achievable blocks can make learning feel much more manageable and help students build consistency over time."

The tutor added that some forms of technology can support, rather than interrupt, study routines. "Students can use technology to support better habits, not just create distractions. Focus timers, productivity apps and tools that reward consistency, whether that is building a streak, completing goals or even growing a virtual plant, can help make focused study feel more achievable."

Other suggestions included switching off notifications, using focus modes or keeping phones out of reach during a study block. The analysis says these simple steps can reduce interruptions and improve the quality of a 30-minute session.

Another recommendation was to target knowledge gaps rather than add study time without direction. Students should focus on areas they find difficult and use feedback to improve, instead of measuring progress only by hours spent revising.

The company's second core message was that consistency matters more than dramatic changes. Rather than replacing all leisure screen time, students may benefit from introducing one regular study session a day and building from there.

An Excel Academics spokesperson returned to that theme in a second comment on repeated practice. "Mastery is built through repetition, feedback and targeted improvement. Giving students more opportunities to practise the concepts they find difficult can accelerate progress and help close learning gaps."