Recent studies suggest what many older adults have long suspected: younger generations may not be keeping pace in cognitive abilities. There’s been a notable drop in measured IQ along with skills like verbal fluency and nonverbal reasoning.
To address this decline among young people, perhaps a shift in how parenting is approached is necessary. It seems essential to teach them fundamental skills.
Reflecting on my own childhood, I often think about Mrs. McGonigle, who dedicated an entire week to creating flashcards with me over lunch until I finally mastered the multiplication tables.
These basic skills used to be picked up almost effortlessly by previous generations. Unfortunately, today’s youth seem to have missed out, for a variety of reasons.
Digital Deprivation
It’s important to clarify that children aren’t necessarily born with lower fixed intelligence than before. The raw intelligence remains, but the decline appears to stem from environmental influences, primarily due to the swift incorporation of digital technology into educational settings.
Shivasis Rath, a bioinformatics researcher, effectively distills complex findings in his paper titled, “Are the first generation of Generation Z less intelligent than their parents?”
Research conducted in Europe and the U.S. highlights this concern, indicating a decline in younger generations’ capacity for abstract reasoning, independent problem-solving, and mathematical logic.
A comprehensive analysis evaluating almost 400,000 American adults from 2006 to 2018 revealed reductions in fluid intelligence—essential for tackling new problems—covering verbal, numerical, and matrix reasoning. While spatial reasoning saw slight improvements, overall scores dropped, especially among young adults aged 18 to 22.
The primary suspect here? If you’ve noticed the struggles of the smartphone generation with even simple tasks, it likely won’t surprise you.
For more detailed data, some related research can be found in various studies. It appears that from the 1930s until approximately 2000, mental capabilities and IQ consistently improved with each generation. However, this trend plateaued, and then, alarmingly, began to decline around 2010, coinciding with the rise of smartphones.
Critics have argued that allowing young people to rely on cell phones undermines their analytical skills. Despite the pushback against such claims, critics were often dismissed as “Luddites” or “boomers.”
Math Confusion
This decline is evident in how many young people interact with money. They often struggle with basic cash handling; if they enter the wrong amount, confusion ensues. This inability to perform simple calculations in their heads is stark compared to those of us in our 50s, who often do this automatically. Many aren’t even taught to do basic subtraction on paper due to a modern curriculum emphasizing “new math.”
If you’re interested in exploring what math instruction looks like in public schools today, you might want to look at the current models and curricular approaches.
This issue extends to reading instruction as well, which has shifted toward broader methodologies rather than phonics-based teaching.
If you think that young people today are lacking basic skills, there’s a telling demonstration that shows even students at elite institutions like Duke University are struggling. A particular class showcases students having difficulty with basic geographic understanding—like which direction is north.
The instructor employs humor to convey knowledge that earlier generations typically acquired by third or fourth grade. However, it’s evident that teachers can only do so much—the core of the issue begins at home.
Make a Call
It often starts with parental mistakes. Not out of malice, just perhaps a misunderstanding. It can be hard for parents to accept these truths, especially in a world that seems to challenge every decision. Honestly, facing the larger implications for 2026 is daunting.
One of my biggest missteps was allowing my kids to have smartphones. They don’t necessarily “need” them. A flip phone would have sufficed for keeping in touch without exposing them to all the dangers of the internet.
The problem isn’t solely about harmful content online; it runs much deeper. When young people have GPS, calculators, and AI writing assistants at their fingertips, they start to rely on those instead of engaging their own minds.
So, what can be done about this? It’s time to return to more traditional methods. Thoughtful parents may need to reconsider digital devices and instead encourage personal growth without those digital crutches.
1. How to Get Bored
Consider taking away that smartphone. If your child is under 16, they probably shouldn’t have one. If that sounds like a bad idea to you, you might want to stop reading right now. Yes, other kids will tease yours for being device-free. But, harking back to that age-old parental wisdom: “If everyone jumped off a bridge…”
For many of us from Generation X, boredom served as a fertile ground for creativity. That quiet time pushed me to invent games, immerse in books, or simply spend time with my thoughts—not to mention enjoy the great outdoors.
2. How to Read a Map
Try getting your child a map of your city, then move on to an atlas of the state. Sit together and teach them how to read map directions and plan routes without the aid of technology. They should physically write out the steps on paper. Yes, it’s crucial; typing doesn’t create the same neural connections.
3. How to Memorize Math Facts Using Flashcards
Is your child struggling with math? It’s time for flashcards. I distinctly recall being the only student in third grade who couldn’t memorize multiplication tables, until Mrs. McGonigle dedicated a week to helping me. That kind of rote memorization is vital for moving on to advanced math concepts.
4. How to Get Places Without a Driver
Encourage your child to walk to school or their favorite spots instead of driving them around. If the school is only a mile away, they can manage it. That’s what many of us used to do.
No, it’s a misconception that “everything is too dangerous” these days. While this might hold true in certain areas, even in safer communities, a sense of hysteria grips some parents, preventing kids from biking or walking.
5. Cooking Method
Instill some basic cooking skills in your children. Instead of relying on apps that dictate every step like a GPS, involve them in the process. Show them how to prepare simple meals like pasta or sandwiches.
Many from Generation Z view services like DoorDash as the norm. Teaching them to cook will not only improve their physical health but also demonstrate the affordability and satisfaction of home-cooked meals.
It’s not easy, I know. Parents are up against a massive cultural tide that tends to favor technology over human interaction. Tech companies may not be looking to improve children’s lives; rather, they seem intent on creating dependency.
It might get lonely. Other parents may judge your methods, and if your kid lacks the latest smartphone, their friends may make comments. Yes, that’s a concern.
But the real question is, does that matter? You have the ability to teach your kids skills that will serve them well. And in a few years, they might look back and appreciate your guidance.
