A groundbreaking study led by neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath has revealed that Generation Z born between 1997 and 2010, may be less cognitively capable than previous generations, marking a startling reversal in the long-standing trend of children outperforming their parents.
Speaking to the New York Post, Horvath said, “A sad fact our generation has to face is that our kids are less cognitively capable than we were at their age. Every generation has outperformed their parents until Gen Z.” He warned that weak attention spans, declining reading and math skills, and poor problem-solving abilities characterize this generation, despite widespread overconfidence in their intelligence. “Most of these young people are overconfident about how smart they are. The smarter people think they are, the dumber they actually are,” he noted.
The study links these cognitive challenges to excessive screen use, with teenagers spending more than half their waking hours on phones, tablets, and computers. Instead of engaging in deep, focused learning, many young people are skimming content, relying on bullet points, and substituting meaningful study with rapid digital consumption. “Humans are biologically programmed to learn from other humans and from deep study, not flipping through screens for bullet point summaries,” Horvath explained.
Data from 80 countries show a clear correlation between the use of digital technology in classrooms and lower academic performance, highlighting the unintended consequences of integrating screens into education. “Rather than determining what we want our children to do and gearing education towards that, we are redefining education to better suit the tool. That is not progress; that is surrender,” Horvath emphasized.
The neuroscientist urged policymakers and educators to take immediate action to safeguard the cognitive development of future generations. With Generation Alpha approaching school age, Horvath stressed the importance of policies and teaching methods that promote critical thinking, focus, and deep learning, ensuring that history does not repeat itself.
“This is a wake-up call,” he said. “If we do not act, the trend of declining cognitive abilities may continue, with consequences for individuals and society as a whole.”
The study has ignited debate worldwide, prompting parents, educators, and governments to reassess how technology is shaping young minds and to consider reforms that prioritize learning over digital convenience.
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