Interference
Interference explores the kids these days, increased loneliness, loss of connection, digital interference, and the impact of environmental toxins on youth development.
The Kids These Days Effect
We must avoid falling into the "kids these days" effect where adults bemoan the current generation of kids as more lazy, self-absorbed, fragile, or disrespectful than the kids from before. It is, however, crucial that we understand the unique challenges they face in a world that's vastly different from the one we grew up in. Research suggests that the more intelligent and well-read we become, the more likely we are to fall for the kids these days. To curb this trend, we must collectively choose connection before correction and avoid using simple labels to diagnose kids these days as more problematic than ever.
Dr. Martin Brokenleg shared that youth are "starving for connection." Technology, social media, and various factors contribute to growing disconnection and loneliness. Meanwhile, research indicates that increased connection is the key preventative measure for improving well-being. When youth are struggling, many approaches focus on "fixing" teenage behavior. The evidence-based strategy is to treat youth as crew, not passengers, and to view them as resources rather than problems when intervening.
Social media presents challenges for raising happy and healthy youth. However, we can achieve digital integration by teaching digital literacy and setting positive examples for youth, such as by minimizing our own phone use. The sensationalist view on social media's impacts on youth mental health is counterproductive. It frequently leads to prohibitive attitudes about technology and social media, which amplifies adult interference in kids’ lives. What we need is a strategy that fosters understanding and connection.
In the past, communities united to protect children from lions, tigers, and bears. Nowadays, though, we must stay aware of the hidden dangers that affect our daily lives: those invisible predators. From forever chemicals to tiny microplastics and harmful substances like lead that linger from decades past, it's important to recognize how these issues can impact the mental health of our young ones. We’re calling for stronger regulations and more research to show how environmental toxins can negatively influence youth development.