Is Modern Culture Ruining Childhood?

Is Modern Culture Ruining Childhood?

Is modern culture ruining childhood? Is the complex and advanced society we live in exploiting the wonder and discovery instilled in children?

Many would argue that it is! Compared to what adolescence appeared to be 10 years ago, there is quite a vast difference.

One of the most known and debated causes of diminished childhood today is technology. According to Teen Ink, the popularity of technology has embedded the idea that activity and social connections can only be performed through technical innovations. 

Branching off of technology, social media has one of the largest impacts on children’ s lives. As per Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, being exposed to social media at such a young age can cause delayed social development, or lack of social skills as a whole. This can be caused by children implementing all social interactions online. These underlying issues can lead a child to develop mental health conditions such as low self esteem, anxiety, depression, and obstructively comparative decision-making. 

Speaking of social factors, the current world has placed the detrimental impact of being pressured to fit in. This causes stress and emotional strain on children. As indicated by The Children’s Society, peer pressure is a gateway to much darker occurrences.

Many would argue that society’s technological and social advancements have made positive impacts on children through education, interactions, and the ability to connect to diverse settings. While this can be true, it can also have a negative influence on children overall. Our advancements have caused our newer generations to ignore childhood simplicity and focus on complexity and sophistication.

Society shouldn’t exclude children from interacting with technology and social issues, simply because they’re everywhere and expressed in everything we do. But, parents can take control over how much they allow them to interconnect with negative influences in their child’s presence. Screen time can be limited, interactions with people can be monitored, and children can be allowed to be children.

The biggest take from this is to become aware of the impacts today’s culture is having on the children of the world. Give them space and time to grow, and most importantly, protect their innocence, interest in discovery, and let them safely explore their childhood wonders.