Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to perform worse on standardized tests than their parents.

Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath blamed the introduction of technology over textbooks in schools and the rise of the iPhone.

I believe COVID also was a major inflection point which many never recovered from.

https://fortune.com/2026/02/21/laptops-tablets-schools-gen-z-less-cognitively-capable-parents-first-time-cellphone-bans-standardized-test-scores/

The U.S. spent $30 billion to ditch textbooks for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents

Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath said older generations “screwed up” giving students access to so much technology.

Fortune

@carnage4life “neuroscientist” guy says his grade at Harvard was “A+++” on his LinkedIn and this research was first published by noted journal (right wing rag)… The Free Press.

There’s reasons for concerns here but don’t launder Free Press bullshit.

@carnage4life Ní dóigh liom gur féidir trialacha caighdeánaithe a chur i gcomparáid glúin i ndiaidh glúine mar seo. Ba chóir iad a athnormú gach 15 bliain nó mar sin, nar chóir? Má tá meath cognaíoch ag tarlú, ní hé seo an dóigh é a mheas.

@carnage4life The issue with standardized testing is you can game it. Worse, schools are incentivized to game it for fear of losing standing and/or funding.

A laptop and a textbook contain the same information. What's most likely changed is how teachers are deciding to teach their students. As in, actually addressing their needs instead of studying for standardized tests.

@soviut
I don’t agree that a laptop and a textbook contain the same information. Information density in print can be much higher than on screen. I kept many of my high school and above textbooks and they absolutely blow away what my kids have access to. Miles above. Not even comparable in depth of information presented, nor its quality.
@carnage4life
@carnage4life This has been widely reported but it's wrong. Gen Z scores better than their parents (Gen X). They don't do as well as Millennials.