Gen Z Scores Lower on IQ Tests Than Parents for First Time in History
For the first time in over a century, the next generation is trailing behind their parents academically. Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist from Harvard and the University of Melbourne, has raised concerns about a significant decline in student performance.
Test results indicate that individuals born between 1997 and 2010, known as Gen Z, are not meeting the academic standards set by previous generations. Horvath recently shared these findings with Congress, emphasizing that the long-standing trend of intellectual progress has come to a halt.
According to Horvath, Gen Z is the first modern generation to perform worse on standardized academic tests than the one before. He highlighted that many of these young individuals are overly confident in their intelligence, despite underperforming.
The data breakdown reveals a widespread decline across various aspects such as memory, literacy, and IQ. Horvath attributes this decline to the influence of "Edtech" and the excessive use of smartphones and tablets, arguing that quick summaries and social media browsing are inadequate substitutes for thorough study.
Horvath’s research, spanning 80 countries, indicates that heavy reliance on digital technology in education correlates with poorer academic performance. He advocates for a return to traditional learning methods involving physical books and sustained focus without digital distractions.
During his testimony, Horvath emphasized that teenagers spending extensive time on screens disrupts the brain's natural learning processes, which rely on interpersonal interactions and deep study rather than superficial online content.
He warned global authorities about the diminishing cognitive capabilities of today's youth compared to previous generations, urging a shift towards a more rigorous educational approach devoid of excessive tech usage. The goal is to reverse the academic decline observed in Gen Z and pave the way for Generation Alpha to excel in learning.
