Madison Vale

Chapter 14 in Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus supplied some insight into what it’s like growing up in America in the 21^st century that I hadn’t genuinely thought of before. Of course, I know that the way I was raised was quite different to the way my parents were raised. My grandparents didn’t have the slightest idea what kinds of trouble their kids were getting themselves into until after the fact. My grandmother knew my uncle was one to get himself into trouble and constantly told him not to even think about doing certain things. But of course, that always made him want to do them more. So, when she told him not to “raft” down the river near their house, of course he did. The only reason she found out about it is because his shenanigans was highlighted in the local newspaper. Most people now would definitely not be able to get away with that.

When Hari said that most children are ALWAYS under the watchful eye of a parent and never go outside, I started thinking. My childhood wasn’t like that. And that could be because I’m from a more rural area and lived on a cul-de-sac. It also could be because I am older than the cut off for this type of childhood. Because of the way children are growing up now inside, on an iPad, and with no freedom, it’s no surprise that their attention spans are dwindling. I spent my childhood outside with my neighbors drawing with chalk on the street and building forts in the trees. By the time I was 10, I had an early generation iPad that I would bring out sometimes and make fun videos with. But even then, I was not an “iPad kid”. I was able to go out every day and stay connected to my surroundings.  

Today, many of the kids I meet (as a dance and swim instructor, I meet a lot of them) are either glued to the iPads or are always under the very watchful eye of their parents. Without the base of free play to create, explore, and problem solve, these kids aren’t being set up for success. While we may all be feeling the effects of social media and technology, we are still able to change and control the way that we allow it to affect the younger generations around us. Yes, the world is a scary place, but we are doing today’s children a disservice by allowing technology to consume their focus instead of the world around them.