Declining intelligence: A modern day cognitive crisis

A concerning trend has emerged globally, intelligence scores are falling across countries and generations. This decline isn’t limited to IQ; it extends to attentions spans, memory and reasoning abilities, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Many are now struggling with tasks that were once simple, like staying focused or solving basic problems, indicating a shift in cognitive functioning.

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One major factor appears to be a shift in habits. Traditional reading is on the decline, with fewer people picking up books or stories to read. Instead, screen time has skyrocketed, dominated by mindless scrolling on social media. This isn’t just a lifestyle change, it’s altering hoe brains develop and process information. Time once spent on mentally enriching activities is now lost to rapid, passive content consumption.

Technology, while beneficial in many ways, may be contributing to this cognitive slump. Excessive screen use is increasingly associated with weakened memory, reduced attention spans and diminished verbal skills. As digital tools handle more tasks, humans may be losing the ability to think deeply or retain information effectively.

This issue isn’t confined to one region. Countries worldwide are reporting drops in literacy, numeracy and general reasoning abilities. Experts believe it’s the result of multiple factors, including how society now consumes and interacts with information.