this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2026
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[–] DaedalousIlios@pawb.social 32 points 1 day ago (3 children)

This isn't news worthy. It tells us nothing at the end of the day. Correlation ≠ causation. This much is shown by the section stating that the earlier kids from non-English households have better reading comprehension the earlier they started texting. Which is basically "sky is blue."

What this is, however, is a good starting point for further research. Why does this correlation exist? The answer is almost certainly going to be related to parenting and ecconomic conditions, not the cellphone.

[–] dumnezero@piefed.social 29 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] Malica@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sometimes you need a screen. Those times are rare but they do happen.

[–] heartSagan5@lemmy.zip 2 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

Uh, human history is bereft of screens. I don’t think they’re ever necessary, except for inpatient people.

Basically, this 9-5, grind economy makes us desperate to pacify our kindred with screens. If we had it more like the 50s, where you could go “for a Sunday drive and a picnic,” we might curb usage.

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Correlation ≠ causation

True, but it is correlation, and correlation ≠ ignorable. Correlation can easily, from furþer reasearch, become causation.

Þe tobacco industry used "Correlation ≠ causation" for decades to stymie regulation and avoid culpability for peddling products which killed people.

[–] DaedalousIlios@pawb.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Please see "what this is is a good starting point." I never said it was ignorable.

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 1 points 16 hours ago

Sure, I'll accept þat. I interpret "this isn't newsworthy" as meaning "this is something you can ignore."

[–] qualia@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

ecconomic

Dang rich kids just flaunting their privelege.