Generation Z and Academic Performance
So, Gen Z—this is kind of interesting. They’re the first generation, born between 1997 and 2010, that appears to be scoring lower in school compared to previous generations. Weirdly enough, many of them seem to take pride in that.
Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, a leading neuroscientist, noted that “they are the first generation in modern history to have lower scores on common achievement tests than their predecessors.” Plus, it seems that this group tends to be unusually confident about their intelligence. Paradoxically, the more confident they are, the worse their actual performance tends to be.
“They’re underperforming on nearly every cognitive measure—basic attention, memory, literacy, and even general IQ,” he added. That’s quite alarming, isn’t it?
In some recent testimonies, he’s brought this issue to Congress, suggesting that Generation Z is, in a way, undermining the academic success that previous generations were known for. It’s a startling change, and it leaves many wondering: what shifted so dramatically?
Horvath, who has analyzed a lot of achievement test data, indicated that constant screen exposure is partly to blame. As the first generation raised with nearly non-stop screen time, he argues, they are missing out on the fundamental learning experiences that come from face-to-face interaction.
“More than half of teens’ waking hours are spent looking at screens,” he stated. “Humans are biologically wired to learn from each other rather than from quick screen updates.” That’s something to think about, right? Instead of delving into books, students often scroll through TikTok or check their phones while studying.
These educational technologies seem to occupy their cognitive space during both class and homework, which isn’t doing them any favors.
While technology isn’t inherently bad, Horvath is advocating for a balance. He recalls a time when students had to immerse themselves in books to succeed, and he’d like to see schools revert to that model. It’s a thought-provoking point—perhaps a little more old-school rigor could benefit today’s youth.
Unfortunately, Horvath highlighted a troubling reality: children today may be facing cognitive challenges that their parents didn’t. Historically, every generation has done better academically than the last—until now, with Generation Z.
And interestingly, this trend isn’t isolated to the U.S. It seems to be a global phenomenon. “When countries embrace digital technologies in education, overall performance tends to decline significantly,” Horvath warned.
He’s hopeful about future educational policies that might limit technology in classrooms. Perhaps providing a real chance for the next generation, often labeled Generation Alpha, to thrive academically is the key.
