No, Kids are not getting dumber. Here’s the truth about the Gen Z intelligence study.
A recent testimony before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has sparked discussion about the cognitive abilities of younger generations. Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath shared his findings in January 2026, stating that kids are less cognitively capable than previous generations at the same age. His message has been largely misrepresented in headlines, which claim that kids are getting dumber.
However, this oversimplification misses the nuance of Horvath's testimony. The actual issue is more complex, and the media's focus on a single soundbite has led to misunderstanding. Further details about Horvath's testimony and the underlying issues are available from the source, including information about the Negative Flynn Effect.
Related Service stories
Yes, I Served in Iraq. But What if People Mistake Me for a Hero?
Illustration by Kim Vo The Department of Motor Vehicles was a good place to lose your identity, not find it, especially 30 minutes before cl
Officers only: New report lays out what a ‘US Cyber Force’ could look like
A new report argues that an independent Cyber Force should be staffed by only commissioned officers and warrant officers to better develop t
Navy researchers find wreck of World War II submarine that vanished 82 years ago
Nearly 82 years to the day after the USS Herring went missing during World War II, the Navy said it had found the wreck of a submarine that