The modern world is facing a historical shift as researchers discover that younger people are now scoring lower on intelligence tests than their parents did. This phenomenon marks a significant departure from over a century of steady cognitive growth across the global population. Scientists are working hard to understand why this reversal is happening and what it means for the future of society. A leading expert has recently stepped forward to provide a biological explanation for this concerning trend.
Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath is the prominent neuroscientist who has been vocal about the decline in cognitive abilities among members of Generation Z. As the leader of the research group LME Global, he focuses on how the brain interacts with modern environments and learning tools. He recently shared his findings with government officials to warn them about the long term impact of current educational trends. His research suggests that the stagnation of human intelligence began to appear clearly around the year 2010.
Technology is the primary factor that experts point to when discussing the drop in cognitive scores for the newest generation. Dr. Horvath believes that the tools we use for daily tasks and learning have a profound impact on how our brains develop and function. He stated that “The answer seems to lie in the tools we use for learning” which indicates that digital devices are a core part of the problem. This shift away from traditional learning methods has created a significant mismatch between human biology and the digital world.
The integration of computers and tablets into the classroom was intended to improve educational outcomes but the data suggests the opposite has occurred. Schools that rely heavily on digital devices often see a noticeable decline in the performance of their students over time. Dr. Horvath noted that “Data show that countries that introduce digital devices into schools record a significant drop in results” across many subjects. This suggests that the mere presence of technology does not guarantee a better learning experience for children.
This negative trend is not limited to one specific region but is instead part of a larger global pattern of cognitive decline. Dr. Horvath conducted research involving 80 different countries to see how technology impacts education on a massive scale. In the United States, the National Assessment of Educational Progress has shown that scores dropped in areas where every student was given their own personal device. Students who use computers for several hours every day tend to have worse results than those who use them rarely.
Human beings have not evolved to process information through the medium of fast paced digital screens and short videos. Our brains were originally built to learn through real world experiences and deep communication with other people such as teachers and family members. Dr. Horvath explained that “Our brain is not adapted to learning through concise messages and fast videos” which makes digital learning less effective. Instead, our neural pathways are designed for the kind of in depth learning that comes from physical interaction and sustained focus.
The sheer amount of time that young people spend looking at digital displays is another major factor in this intelligence shift. Many teenagers now spend more than half of their waking hours staring at a smartphone or a computer screen. Dr. Horvath told the New York Post that “More than half of their waking time teenagers spend looking at a screen” which leaves very little time for other brain building activities. This constant digital consumption prevents the brain from engaging in the deep thought required for higher intelligence.
There is also a significant gap between how intelligent young people feel and how they actually perform on standardized tests. Many members of Generation Z have a high level of confidence in their own cognitive abilities despite the data showing a decline. Dr. Horvath observed that “Most of them have too much confidence in their own intelligence” because they have constant access to facts online. This creates an illusion of knowledge where people think they are smart because they can find information quickly.
Social media platforms like TikTok have encouraged a style of communication that relies on very short bursts of information and constant scrolling. This habit trains the brain to seek out immediate rewards and makes it very difficult for young people to concentrate on long tasks. The constant flow of brief videos and messages does not allow for the kind of critical thinking that builds a strong mind. As a result, many students struggle when they are asked to read long texts or solve complex problems.
Educational systems have started to adapt their teaching methods to fit the shorter attention spans of their students. Dr. Horvath asks “What do children do on computers? They scroll” while warning that this is a dangerous move. He remarked that “Instead of setting a clear goal of education and shaping the tool toward that goal, we shape education toward the tool” in a way that limits potential. He concluded that this kind of change is not progress and stated “That is not progress, that is capitulation” regarding the current state of schools.
Some countries are already recognizing these dangers and are taking steps to remove digital distractions from the classroom. Scandinavia has become a leader in this movement by reinstating physical books and banning smartphones in many of its schools. Experts believe that these measures are necessary to protect the cognitive health of the next generation. Moving toward simpler technology for children could help them regain the ability to focus and think deeply about the world around them.
To understand the gravity of this decline it is helpful to look at the history of the Flynn Effect. This term describes the consistent increase in average intelligence quotient scores that occurred throughout the twentieth century across many different cultures. For many decades, each new generation was smarter than the one that came before it thanks to better living conditions and schooling. The current reversal of this effect is a major cause for concern among psychologists and sociologists who study human development.
Our brains are highly plastic which means they physically change based on the environment and the activities we engage in most frequently. When a person spends most of their time scrolling through digital content their brain rewires itself to handle that specific type of stimulation. This plasticity is a double edged sword because it allows us to learn new skills but it also means we can lose older ones. Without regular practice in deep concentration the parts of the brain responsible for complex logic can become less efficient.
Standardized testing remains the primary way that scientists track the intelligence of large groups of people over long periods of time. These tests measure various skills like mathematical reasoning and verbal understanding to provide a snapshot of cognitive health. While no test is perfect they show a clear and consistent decline in scores among the youngest members of the workforce. This data suggests that the impact of the digital age is far reaching and affects many different types of thinking.
Improving the cognitive future of the next generation will require a shift in how we approach technology and daily life. Parents and educators can help by setting firm limits on screen time and encouraging activities that require sustained effort. Reading physical books and playing outside are simple ways to help the brain develop the pathways it needs for higher intelligence. By being mindful of our digital habits we can ensure that future generations continue to grow and thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Please tell me what you think about these scientific findings and whether you have noticed these changes in the younger people around you in the comments.
