Why Are Young People Getting More Stupid?

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

Studies are showing that young people in Britain are dumber than previous generations. Scientists say that the deterioration could be down to changes in the way maths and languages are taught, or to a shift from reading books to spending time on television and computers. Either way, it appears that there are those who are desperate to point out that it's the TESTS that are wrong (of course) and not that the younger generation, (addicted to technology and a intellectually-starved culture), that are becoming more stupid. What do you think? I'd be interested to hear from more experienced members, and not the young and outraged.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dumb-and-dumber-why-we-re-getting-less-intelligent-80k3bl83v

https://www.sciencealert.com/iq-scores-falling-in-worrying-reversal-20th-century-intelligence-boom-flynn-effect-intelligence

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5832789/Young-people-really-getting-stupid-IQs-falling-seven-points-generation.html

[Old_Geezer]

Probably numerous reasons.

And tests are wrong too as no one is naive enough to believe the exam results implying every year is cleverer than the last.

All needs looking into and fixing.

[Old_Geezer]

IQ is supposed to measure mental ability not knowledge so teachers ought not be the problem, unless the tests are faulty.

[Tilly2]

Can anyone recommend a good online IQ test? I want to 'test' this out.

[jno]

are you sure you should be talking about young people? This has been going on since 1975, according to your link - so that includes people who are now well into their 40s.

[jno]

you want to see how much your IQ has fallen, Tilly?

[New Judge]

"...so that includes people who are now well into their 40s."

They ARE young people! :-)

[Mamyalynne]

Let's blame their parents then ;-)

[Old_Geezer]

I'm ok with blaming the parents. Although I suspect it's more than just that.

[Mamyalynne]

Of course there are a multitude of reasons that tests bring out different scores, people adapt to deal with the world they live in and how it works, some will always be brighter than others.

It's the constant harking back that irritates me, my first job in a haberdashers was selling things such as ribbon - Three and three quarter yards at two shillings and eleven pence ha'penny a yard, calculated on paper with a pencil.

Not sure bemoaning the fact my Grandchildren would struggle with that proves anything.

[Peter Pedant]

//Not sure bemoaning the fact my Grandchildren would struggle with that proves anything.//

I recollect men and women from my grandparents generation who couldnt read or write

[CrapAtCryptics]

I blame it on the "its not cool to be smart attitude" that many young people seem to accept.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure there are some who think being bright isn't cool - thank goodness none of mine thought/think that way.

Ambition rules here, more in fact than I ever had at their age.