Screen Time Emerges as Top Obstacle to Student Success Worldwide

McGraw Hill’s 2026 Global Education Insights Report:
Human connection remains essential to learning amid growing educator concerns about the impact of technology on students

Key Findings:

• Screen time is now the biggest obstacle to student success worldwide, and 42% of educators say students’ ability to focus has declined compared to five years ago.
• 68% of educators are concerned about their students' mental well-being, while managing student behavior and mental health remains the top challenge for educators for the second year in a row.
• Despite growing AI usage, 72% of educators do not expect in-person instructional time to decline over the next decade.
• AI is saving educators time, but trust remains conditional: Educators are 81% more likely to completely trust AI embedded in education platforms than general GenAI chatbots, with trust in general chatbots declining 33% vs. last year. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Educators are underscoring the continued importance of human connection to learning amid growing concerns about technology’s impact on student well-being, according to a new global survey of educators released today by McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE: MH).

The 2026 McGraw Hill Global Education Insights Report finds that educators globally view excessive screen time as the top barrier to student success. Two in five educators report declines over the past five years in students’ abilities to focus for extended periods and manage their emotions—a view that is higher among K-12 educators globally, and more pronounced in the U.S., Latin America and Asia.

Despite the growing use of AI in education, educators continue to view the most important elements of teaching as distinctly human. Nearly three-quarters say social-emotional support and teacher-student relationships cannot be replaced by AI, and the majority (72%) do not anticipate in-person instructional time to decline over the next decade, even as nearly nine in 10 expect AI use in education to increase.

“The future of education will be defined by how responsibly and effectively we use technology to support teaching, deepen learning and build the skills students need next,” said Philip Moyer, President and CEO of McGraw Hill. “The impact of social media and screen time is clear. In the AI era, we have a responsibility to build tools that strengthen—not diminish—the teacher-student relationships, critical thinking and human connection at the heart of learning.”

Conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of McGraw Hill, the Global Education Insights Report is based on an annual survey of more than 1,300 K-12 and higher education educators across 19 countries, exploring their perspectives on technology, artificial intelligence, student well-being and the skills students need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

Educators Express Growing Concerns About Technology and Student Well-Being

Educators report growing concerns about students' relationships with technology and its impact on learning and well-being. Among the findings:

• 86% of K-12 educators—and 68% of educators worldwide—say they are concerned about students' mental health.
• Managing student behavior and mental health remains the greatest challenge educators face (42%) for the second year in a row.
• Forty-two percent say social media has a mostly negative impact on educational outcomes – the highest negative rating of any technology tested. Educators view digital tools or applications that use embedded AI much more favorably, with 62% seeing it as a net positive for education.

Even amid these concerns, educators generally favor balance over bans when it comes to device usage in school. Forty-five percent support policies that allow students access to cell phones during lunch or other non-instructional periods, with K-12 educators more supportive of restrictions than higher education instructors.

Educators Are Cautiously Optimistic About AI

Sixty percent of educators globally believe their students use AI for schoolwork, an increase from 2025, with the highest rates reported by U.S. higher education instructors (70%).

As AI use grows, educators are seeing clear benefits—but trust remains conditional. Nearly four in five educators say AI tools have saved them time, but they are 81% more likely to completely trust the information their students receive from AI embedded in the education platforms they use in the classroom vs. general GenAI chatbots, with trust in general chatbots declining 33% vs. last year.

More than 4 in 5 are comfortable with students using AI when it is integrated into their courseware or curriculum, and educators are most comfortable with students using AI to create study guides from text (83%) and for translation (81%).

Educators Identify Critical Thinking as a Top Skill for the Future and a Key Gap

Almost all educators say critical thinking and problem-solving are essential for career success (95%), but they also view it as one of the biggest gaps in education today (52%). Educators agree that the most impactful educational experiences will help students prepare for the future, with the most important including:

• Real-world learning experiences (95%)
• Career exploration and vocational guidance (93%)
• Communication and collaboration (91%)
• Financial literacy (91%)
• Emotional intelligence/resilience (87%)
• Digital literacy (87%)
• AI literacy (84%)

Overall optimism for the future remains high, with 86% of educators confident their students will receive the education needed for a successful career, and more relevant career-connected curriculum, increased mental health support services in schools and smaller class sizes having the most potential to help students overcome obstacles to success.

To explore the full report and download reports by region, visit: mheducation.com/about-us/global-education-insights-report/global-education-insights-2026.html

McGraw Hill

McGraw Hill (NYSE: MH) is a leading global provider of education solutions for preK-12, higher education and professional learning, supporting the evolving needs of millions of educators and students around the world. We provide trusted, high-quality content and personalized learning experiences that use data, technology and learning science to help students progress towards their goals. Through our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and belonging, we are dedicated to improving outcomes and access to education for all. We have over 30 offices across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and make our learning solutions available in more than 80 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X.