Gen Z is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents

https://www.upworthy.com/gen-z-technology-schools

by myth_drannon • 6 months ago

23 8 6 months ago

taylodl• 6 months ago

I thought we discovered years ago that people retain content better when reading books than when reading e-readers? Nobody could really explain why, but that's what the results showed. I know if I'm using reading to learn new things then I learn it better when reading a book. However, I also know that good videos plus a book is even better. Which is to say I think screens may augment books, but they're not going to replace them.

NoPicklez• 6 months ago

There could be so many reasons for this past just whether we retain more reading on a screen or a page.

They aren't reading on e-readers, but usually laptops or tablets that have all manner of distractive apps, messaging services and notifications potentially drawing kids attention away.

A book doesn't have a popup that your friend sent you a message, or that you got a new snapchat.

Thats just one anecdote I can think of

paulpauper• 6 months ago

Then how does this gel with all these stories and anecdotes of kids cramming advanced math and AP courses for competitive schools? I would say it's the opposite. I just don't see it . From landing a decent job or getting into a decent college, everything has gotten more competitive and difficult, requiring being smarter.

SonOfKyuss• 6 months ago

I don't doubt your observation, since it does seem to align with what I have seen, but it is possible that the distribution has changed. As you observed, the top 25% (give or take) seem as bright and driven as ever, but if the rest of their peers are falling behind, it could drag the overall average lower.

lazylizard• 6 months ago

wait. the tests are done on paper or done on computers?

smcleod• 6 months ago

Re: Flynn effect reversal - The article attributes this entirely to classroom technology. Researchers have proposed multiple explanations including changes in education, nutrition, cultural factors, and media exposure. The researchers studying the US decline noted "there is no shortage of theories in the scientific community, including poor nutrition, worsening health, media exposures and changes to education" and emphasised that "not every domain is going down; one of them is going up" - spatial reasoning scores actually increased.

Re: Denmark's "Solution" - The article states Denmark has "taken tablets, laptops, and computers out of the classroom" since the 2025/2026 school year with "undeniable" results.... however Denmark’s phone ban is set to take effect from 2026, and it applies to “smartphones and other private electronic devices with access to the internet" Critically, "this does not include computers and tablets that are used as part of the instruction.", and - the policy was only agreed upon in September 2025 and isn’t fully implemented yet - meaning claims of "undeniable results" are premature.

So much correlation presented as causation.

myth_drannon• 6 months ago

The article is basically a summary of Dr. Cooney Horvath testimony in the US congress and it is linked in the article. He talks about correlation vs causation in this part: https://youtu.be/Fd-_VDYit3U?t=134 There is plenty of research starting from 60's , introduce technology in the classroom and the learning goes down.

Rochus• 6 months ago

This is unexpected. According to the article, research across 80 countries suggests that when schools introduce digital technology, student performance drops significantly. Students who use computers about five hours per day for learning score lower than those who rarely use technology in school, and they struggle with concentration, self-esteem, and mental health. Most countries (beside Denmark which removed computers and phones from class rooms) have responded by lowering standards, which is incredible.

Gen Z is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents

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