Were we that dumb?

In the last few weeks I have seen some... really brain dead uninformed takes from Gen Z. Just really uninformed opinions about our government agencies, culture, and economy, stated as though they are fact. Its making me feel pretty hopeless about our future... how can they be so uninformed? How did we fail that generation so bad? Were we that dumb when we were in our late teens/early to mid 20's? I guess I am seeking assurance that this level of stupidity is normal?