Teen IQ scores decline due to TikTok's influence

A new study suggests that the increased use of social media, especially TikTok, is harming the intelligence of young people. Researchers have observed a decline in IQ scores among 15-year-olds, with recent data showing that IQ peaked in the early 2010s. The report comes from the Financial Times and is based on tests conducted by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). These tests measure students' skills in reading, math, and science. Experts like John Burn-Murdoch argue that this decline is linked to how we access information today, which is mostly online and visual rather than text-based. Researchers believe that the shift to visual media is affecting learning and focus. Many teenagers spend hours daily on apps like TikTok, leading to what some call "TikTok brain rot." This focuses heavily on quick entertainment and can negatively impact attention span and memory. The study shows a worrying trend in cognitive skills, with more teens reporting difficulty on PISA tests. Concerns about dwindling intelligence have resurfaced almost two decades after the release of the movie "Idiocracy," which presents a future where society has become significantly less intelligent. Additionally, experts warn that artificial intelligence might soon surpass human intelligence. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, indicated that advancements in AI capabilities could emerge within the next ten years. This raises further questions about the future of human intelligence in an increasingly digital age.