Are we getting dumber?

Question

The claim that IQ levels are declining globally is partially supported by existing research, which points to a complex interplay of environmental factors, including education, nutrition, and lifestyle changes. While increased screen time and reduced reading may contribute to this trend, they are among multiple factors, and the scientific community has not reached a definitive conclusion on their specific impact. Therefore, while the India Today article highlights a valid concern, the assertion that screen time and reduced reading are the primary causes of declining IQ levels requires further empirical evidence.

Answer 1

The statement of "are we getting dumber" is relatively true. IQ levels have seen to been dropping ever since 1975. Some reasons for this include newer habits of nutrition, use of technology, and overall environmental experience. Intelligence is measured in different ways and can be shown in different ways. So the statement overall is hard to debunk, but if we are soley thinking about IQ, then yes.

https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/research-confirms-it-really-are-getting-dumber.htm

Answer 2

There are recent studies in the article by India today saying there is a steady decline in the IQ levels and cognitive skills of teens and adults globally. The evidence they have in this article is based on IQ tests, as well as data from the University of Michigan. They are saying that “attention span, memory, basic reasoning” are all taking a hit. After doing some of my own research from The 74, they claim “American achievement scores peaked about a decade ago, and have been falling ever since. They place the initial blame on cell phones and social media, but the real blame is on personal accountability. They highlight how “the rise in technology is diminishing America's attention spans and stealing their focus from books and other long-form written content” (The 74).  At the same time, with more tools available to students, it is easier for them to pass their classes without trying much. I think with both of these sources combined, we are not necessarily getting dumber as a society, but our drive to succeed and our work ethic is severely dwindling.

Answer 3

A study done in a research lab in Norway, they took a look at 730,000 men born from the 60s to the 90s. They found the IQ scores increased by about 3% for the years of people born between 1962 and 1975, but saw a falloff when they were born after 1975. The researchers thought it could be due to a number of things such as the environment or the internet, and other factors. Another study conducted in the article India Today showed there is a heavy link to increased screen time and lowered IQ. The initial claim is true based on these sources and understanding of what “getting dumber” means.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/13/health/falling-iq-scores-study-intl/index.html

https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/education-today/latest-studies/story/iq-levels-are-falling-across-the-world-as-we-read-less-and-scroll-more-2713984-2025-04-24
 

Answer 4

The source from India Today, “IQ Levels are falling across the world as we read less and scroll more”(April 24, 2025). It claims that global IQ levels are declining, attributing this trend to the increase in screen time and reduced reading habits. While the article touches on genuine concern regarding cognitive changes, the claim revolves around screen time and impaired reading leading to IQ decrease over time.

The claim that human intelligence is getting lower is multifaceted and hard to determine, but here is what researchers do know. First, bringing up the Flynn Effect phenomenon, where IQ scores increased throughout the 20^th century, for instance, a study by the Ragnar Frisch Centre for Economic Research in Norway analyzed IQ scores of approximately 730,000 men born between 1962 and 1991. The findings showed IQ scores rose by nearly three percentage points per decade for those born between 1962 and 1975 and declined for those born after. The study attributes this decline to environmental factors such as changes to education and an increase in online activity, nutrition, and decreased habits of reading              

Similarly, research done in Denmark observed an IQ decline in scores among men between 1998 and 2004, and also agreed that reduced educational engagement may contribute to this trend.

A source from the Guardian also suggests that excessive screen time, particularly in children, may be associated with reduced attention spans and memory issues. For instance, researchers linked high levels of internet usage and media multitasking to decreased gray matter in prefrontal regions of the brain. The article also argues that the relationship between screen time and cognitive decline is not as straightforward as we believe. A review from Oxford University found that fears about technology-induced brain damage are largely unfounded, emphasizing that the quality and context of screen use are critical factors.

Boyle, Siân. “Is Doom Scrolling Really Rotting Our Brains? The Evidence Is Getting Harder to Ignore.” The Guardian, 9 Dec. 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/09/brain-rot-word-of-the-year-reality-internet-cognitive-function.

Fleming, Amy. “All in the Mind? The Surprising Truth about Brain Rot.” The Guardian, 29 Jan. 2025. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/29/all-in-the-mind-the-surprising-truth-about-brain-rot.

Gajanan, Mahita. “IQ Scores Are Falling Due to Environmental Factors, Study Finds.” TIME, 13 June 2018, https://time.com/5311672/iq-scores-decline-environment/.

“Colin Munro Accuses Iftikhar Ahmad of Chucking in PSL, Players Get into Heated Argument.” India Today, 24 Apr. 2025, https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/colin-munro-iftikhar-ahmad-chucking-psl-islamabad-vs-multan-2713962-2025-04-24.