‘Gen Z is less sharp than us’: Neuroscientist warns of a generational shift as maths and reading scores fall

Neuroscientist Dr Jared Cooney Horvath has sparked debate by warning that children’s cognitive abilities may be weakening, citing declining academic performance and the growing use of digital devices in classrooms. OECD PISA data shows significant drops in reading and mathematics scores across developed countries. However, experts caution that lower test scores do not prove declining intelligence or establish screens as the cause. The debate highlights concerns about technology, attention, learning methods and educational outcomes.