[헤럴드경제=이원율 기자]It was claimed that Generation Z, who grew up in a daily life in a digital environment such as computers and smartphones, showed lower academic achievement than the previous generation. The environment and learning method that induces continuous ‘screen exposure’ and immediate reactions are reducing thinking ability and concentration.
According to a New York Post report on the 7th (local time), American neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath recently testified before the U.S. Congress and claimed, “Generation Z, classified as those born between 1997 and 2010, is the first generation to score lower than the generation immediately preceding them on standardized academic assessments.”
He said that Generation Z performed worse than previous generations in almost all major cognitive indicators, including literacy, numeracy, attention, memory, executive function, and overall intelligence (IQ). At the same time, it was explained that there was a tendency to perceive one’s own learning ability to be higher than it actually was.
Dr. Horvath cited ‘continuous screen exposure’ as the key reason behind this phenomenon.
The key point is that the learning environment has changed for Generation Z in that they are the first generation to be exposed to digital devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones from an early age.
In particular, he argued that so-called ‘edtech’ classes using digital devices are spreading in schools, but contrary to expectations, the learning effect is not yet clear. They also pointed out that outside of the classroom, it has become routine for students to consume summaries of classic literature or learning content through social networking services (SNS) such as TikTok and Snapchat.
“Adolescents spend about half of their waking hours looking at screens,” he said. “Humans were originally designed to learn through interaction with others and in-depth learning. Learning centered on summary information and short videos cannot replace this.”
“It’s not that I’m against technology, it just means that we need to restore the rigor and density of learning,” he said. “We need to reduce the time students use screens in the classroom and return to an environment where they open books and read and study deeply.”
Dr. Horvath said, “We have been measuring cognitive development by generation since the late 1800s, and all generations have shown higher performance than their parents’ generation. However, the trend has been broken for the first time in Generation Z.”
He said, “A look at academic achievement data from 80 countries shows a tendency for academic performance to decline significantly after the widespread introduction of digital technology in schools.”
Some countries are also pushing for a ban on SNS for minors
Meanwhile, some countries, including those in Europe, are also pursuing measures to ban the use of SNS for minors.
This is also interpreted as a way to prevent ‘screen addiction’ among teenagers.
After Australia blocked the use of SNS by minors in December last year, more than 10 countries in Europe have prepared or are considering similar laws, including the UK, France, Germany, and Spain.
Recently, the Czech government announced that it would pursue a plan to ban the use of SNS by children and adolescents under the age of 15.
In relation to this, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said, “Experts say social media is extremely harmful to children,” and added, “We must protect children.”
yul@heraldcorp.com
date: 2026-02-10 12:05:00