I would argue that literacy is at an all-time low. People don't care about syntax or structure. Just because they have smartphones, it doesn't mean they are doing anything smart with them. You would be amazed how many times I come across people in their 20s-30s that don't know the difference between to, too and two; or there, their and they're.
The truth of the matter is that the US in particular was founded on the ideals that people have the freedom to do and believe whatever they want. Unfortunately instead of using this freedom to strive for something greater, every generation has become more accepting of mental and social stagnation.
It is the typical American's right to be an idiot.
The US leads behind most other nations in a ton of areas including education, STEM graduates, employment, healthcare, internet quality, and many more. And as time goes on, it will only get worse because it is far easier to say we are the greatest nation in the world than actually be the greatest nation in the world.
And the best part about this American nightmare is that the people that can change the status quo never will. Because they are either making a killing off of the ignorant mass's pliability; or they are at odds with the opposition that will fight for their right to keep the masses uneducated through one way or another.