U.S. replaced textbooks with laptops, resulting in a generation less capable

7 hours ago

Maine launched the first statewide laptop program in 2002, aiming to provide internet access for students.
By 2016, Maine distributed 66,000 devices, but test scores did not improve, leading to criticism of the program.
U.S. schools spent over $30 billion on laptops and tablets by 2024, but technology has been linked to declining cognitive skills in Gen Z.
Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath testified that Gen Z scores lower on standardized tests and shows a correlation between screen time and poor academic performance.
Research indicates that classroom technology often leads to off-task behavior, hindering learning due to attention interruptions and weaker memory formation.
Addictive app designs, like social media and gaming, contribute to reduced focus and counterproductive learning environments.
Solutions proposed include efficacy standards for digital tools, limits on data tracking for minors, and cellphone bans in schools.
Horvath emphasizes that the decline in critical thinking is a policy failure, not a personal one, calling Gen Z victims of a flawed educational experiment.

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