Techno-optimism or Thoughtful Scepticism? Demographic and Academic Differences in Student Views on Human Enhancement Technologies

This study validated the Technological Enhancements Questionnaire and examined Croatian secondary school students’ attitudes towards human enhancement technologies, focusing on gender, grade level, and academic achievement. The questionnaire’s two-factor structure, techno-optimism and enhancement scepticism, was statistically robust. Techno-optimism remained consistently high across all groups, while students with higher academic achievement exhibited significantly greater scepticism, indicating increased critical awareness and ethical reflection. These findings are consistent with broader research suggesting that adolescents’ engagement with digital technologies influences their cognitive development and ability to evaluate long-term consequences. The lack of significant differences by gender or grade level suggests that enthusiasm for technological progress is widely shared. However, the nuanced scepticism among academically stronger students highlights the need for educational strategies that foster ethical reasoning and futures thinking. Integrating discussions on enhancement technologies into science curricula can help students critically engage with innovation and prepare them to navigate its societal implications.