Recent research suggests a concerning global trend: IQ levels and core cognitive abilities — like memory, focus, and problem-solving — are steadily declining. The likely culprits? Declining reading habits and a surge in screen time.
IQs Are Dropping — and It’s Not Just a Phase
Data from multiple long-term studies, including the University of Michigan’s ‘Monitoring the Future’ project, show a noticeable dip in cognitive skills, especially among teens and young adults. This goes beyond just IQ scores — attention spans are shrinking, basic reasoning is weakening, and information retention is suffering.
Tasks that were once second nature — staying focused during a lecture, solving simple math, or recalling details — are becoming increasingly difficult for many young people.
From Pages to Screens: A Dramatic Habit Shift
The decline in reading is sharp. A study from the National Endowment for the Arts found that by 2022, fewer than 38% of Americans read a novel or short story in the previous year — down from 45% a decade ago.
Meanwhile, screen time has surged. Young people now spend hours each day scrolling through social media, consuming quick, bite-sized content instead of engaging in deeper, focused reading. This shift may be rewiring the brain — reducing its ability to concentrate, reflect, or absorb complex ideas.
Is Tech Helping or Hurting Our Brains?
While digital tools have their benefits, growing evidence shows that heavy reliance on them may be dulling some mental faculties. Studies reviewed in journals like Scientific American and Psychology Today link prolonged screen exposure with lower verbal ability, weaker memory, and reduced capacity for deep thought.
We’ve become excellent at scanning and tapping — but not so much at reflecting or retaining.
It’s a Global Concern, Not Just Local
This isn’t a US-only problem. A 2023 OECD report showed a rise in adults with low numeracy levels in several countries. Meanwhile, the global PISA scores — which assess 15-year-olds across nearly 90 countries — reveal a consistent decline in math, reading, and science performance.
The slide cuts across regions, affecting both developed and developing nations.
What’s Really Causing the Decline?
Experts suggest it’s a combination of factors: shrinking attention spans due to constant digital stimulation, reduced reading time, and a culture of instant gratification. Our reliance on search engines and swipe-based content may be reducing the need for critical thinking, memory, or sustained mental effort.
Can We Reverse the Trend?
It’s possible — but it’ll take more than just cutting down screen time. Reviving reading habits, redesigning education systems to focus on cognitive development, and creating healthier digital environments could help.
Ultimately, the way we engage with information — not just how much of it we consume — may hold the key to keeping our brains sharp in the digital age.
