What a breath of fresh air to read of these Gen Z leaders pushing back. In our writings on how to navigate life in a digital age, my husband Peco and I noted that in addition to practical advice, people are in search of inspiring personal accounts that model a different relationship with technology. As such we have been planning a post for the end of May calling for submissions of stories that offer insight into how some young people, especially teens, choose to live life differently in a digital age. We will curate a collection of these stories that readers can freely access to gain encouragement for change and inspiration to apply to their own unique circumstances. We hope that this will add momentum to turning the tide.
Ben's interview speaks volumes to me as a high school English teacher. I keep banging the drum that the problem is not just phones, it's overuse of tech more broadly in schools.
I wrote a bit about my experience this year, which has been to make paper, not machines, the default in my classroom. Ben's attic discovery can happen in schools.
I agree that EdTech in schools is part of the problem too! I just had my article published on Public, https://public.substack.com/p/big-tech-hubris-and-greed-behind?utm_medium=web&post_id=144544217 and created an edtech timeline for Environmental Progress. I too feel we need to get back to the basics. The edtech profits are through the roof and tests scores are steadily declining. I look forward to reading your article!
TY, Denise! There are many educators who are reevaluating (or who were never pushed into as much tech use). It's important to create a counter to the culture that has grown up around edtech, with its many cheerleaders.
Once the narrative switches, and more typical GenZ can use the fact that their parents *caused harm* by plunking the kids in front of a screen, THEN you’ll have movement on this issue.
Much wisdom in this: “We are better equipped to tackle the issues of our time than older generations because we’ve been using technology for our entire lives and intuitively understand its benefits and harms. It’s time for us to get politically engaged, elect younger leaders, and create a brighter future.” AMEN!
An 8th grader I know casually mentioned that he was reading an interesting book. He said it was “The Anxious Generation”. I was astounded. I said enthusiastically, “You read Jonathan Haidt?” He replied, “Who’s that?” I said, “The author of the book you’re reading.” Nevertheless, that young man is truly impressive. If he’s reading about the harmful effects of social media on his generation and given the youth mentioned in this post, we have to be hopeful that the younger generation will lasso social media and corral it in to acceptable boundaries.
Gen Alpha (one after Zoomers) is already showing signs of distrust and fatigue over social media. They'd rather go on their little corner of Roblox with their friends. An improvement.
The hypothesis of "violent video games cause violence" was taken up by national parent groups, and Congress was involved on more than one occasion. If the murder rate went UP in the 1990's instead of DOWN as violent video games became ubiquitous for teenage males, the legions of academia (THOUSANDS of published articles) and media who insisted "violent video games cause violence" would be even more confident their incorrect theory was correct.
Social media may be a variable in the current morass of young westerners, but it is certainly not the only variable in society today versus past generations.
The problem is with the parents. And with the fact that fifty percent of society doesn’t believe in God. Once you have a true perception of right and wrong life gets a lot simpler. If Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth and Love are perceived as synonyms for God, and you believe that you are a reflection of God your perception, the way you treat other people, the example you set for your children.
Too many people are too inclined to comply. Sure, it's human nature, but it can become a chronic problem. I look at the problems on TicTok and I look at the problems with political parties, and I see largely the same thing. Followers are the lifeblood of both TicTok and political parties.
I think it would be helpful if Jon also examined the bullies, as well as the bullied. He should also examine those who are neither. Full comprehension of an issue is essential to resolving it. Why do the bullies bully? Why are many children (and adults) immune to it?
This is a moronic comparison. If social media companies did not use persuasive technology design in their platforms to make them more addictive to boost ad revenue, this point might be close to valid. Social media is closer to a slot machine than a printing press.
Thank you for this fine demonstration of how the new pocket printing press allows anyone, anywhere to make an ass of themselves to strangers at any time.
The Wired Human Youth Coalition has done a lot of work to elevate student voices and perspectives, fighting for KOSA in D.C. and also recently with the Heat Initiative in a demonstration at Apple HQ. https://www.wiredhuman.org
It’s so hard to get these ideas into the community. Tried to share wait till 8th info on my school parents FB page. Got taken down because they were afraid it would hurt the feelings of parents who gave their kids smart phones already….
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯 Love that you are writing about this topic. Please keep writing and researching more on this topic. The Gen X intellectuals need to become more apprized to what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are thinking, feeling, reading, doing etc. If we don't, we will remain stunted and not be able to guide them appropriately. Thanks for covering this topic so diligently🙌🏻💯
Yes, this is a question I often ask myself, as someone who both teaches the history of comics (and other media) and wrote a chapter on labelling theory and moral panics for my thesis. Is this moral panic different than all the others? Haidt et al are right: first, it's lasted longer than the Werthamite scare about comics, though that effectively killed horror and scifi comics. Second, the arrival of first the internet then social media were once-in-a-civilization events, akin to the arrival of the printing press in the 16th century. You can't undo them. Third, by just paying attention to the social world around you, you can see the effects of modern tech: students hunched over their cell phones in public spaces, hiding from others; young people ready to anger easily, calling out their "enemies" as racist, sexist, homophobic, etc.; the mysterious belief that the Nazi party actually survived the fires of Berlin in 1945; that biological sex isn't real; etc. Everything has a cause, even if that cause isn't desired or healthy.
The main thing that's different from past moral panics - the Mods and Rockers in 60s England, the comic book scare of the 1950s, the D&D panic of the 70s/80s, and gansta rap around 1990 - is that not only are the state, the media and the corporate world (in part) on board with repression, but the objects of "care" and "safety", woke kids and their parents, are also on board. It's hard to imagine a 60s Mod, a 70s punk, an 80s dungeon lord, or a 90s rapper arguing for the repression of their own lifeworld. That's why John Lydon is an anti-woke populist.
It’s unconstitutional to regulate the internet. You can also trot out young people who are for gun control, but it doesn’t matter. We have a right to free speech, end of discussion. Find solutions that don’t involve the government.
What a breath of fresh air to read of these Gen Z leaders pushing back. In our writings on how to navigate life in a digital age, my husband Peco and I noted that in addition to practical advice, people are in search of inspiring personal accounts that model a different relationship with technology. As such we have been planning a post for the end of May calling for submissions of stories that offer insight into how some young people, especially teens, choose to live life differently in a digital age. We will curate a collection of these stories that readers can freely access to gain encouragement for change and inspiration to apply to their own unique circumstances. We hope that this will add momentum to turning the tide.
https://www.waituntil8th.org/blog/2024/3/28/my-high-school-senior-does-not-have-a-smartphone
Thanks for sharing :)
Ben's interview speaks volumes to me as a high school English teacher. I keep banging the drum that the problem is not just phones, it's overuse of tech more broadly in schools.
I wrote a bit about my experience this year, which has been to make paper, not machines, the default in my classroom. Ben's attic discovery can happen in schools.
https://annelutzfernandez.substack.com/p/in-praise-of-paper
This needs to be part of the conversation. Tech in classrooms has not enhanced learning, it has only enhanced the bottom line of tech companies.
I agree that EdTech in schools is part of the problem too! I just had my article published on Public, https://public.substack.com/p/big-tech-hubris-and-greed-behind?utm_medium=web&post_id=144544217 and created an edtech timeline for Environmental Progress. I too feel we need to get back to the basics. The edtech profits are through the roof and tests scores are steadily declining. I look forward to reading your article!
TY, Denise! There are many educators who are reevaluating (or who were never pushed into as much tech use). It's important to create a counter to the culture that has grown up around edtech, with its many cheerleaders.
Once the narrative switches, and more typical GenZ can use the fact that their parents *caused harm* by plunking the kids in front of a screen, THEN you’ll have movement on this issue.
Much wisdom in this: “We are better equipped to tackle the issues of our time than older generations because we’ve been using technology for our entire lives and intuitively understand its benefits and harms. It’s time for us to get politically engaged, elect younger leaders, and create a brighter future.” AMEN!
An 8th grader I know casually mentioned that he was reading an interesting book. He said it was “The Anxious Generation”. I was astounded. I said enthusiastically, “You read Jonathan Haidt?” He replied, “Who’s that?” I said, “The author of the book you’re reading.” Nevertheless, that young man is truly impressive. If he’s reading about the harmful effects of social media on his generation and given the youth mentioned in this post, we have to be hopeful that the younger generation will lasso social media and corral it in to acceptable boundaries.
Gen Alpha (one after Zoomers) is already showing signs of distrust and fatigue over social media. They'd rather go on their little corner of Roblox with their friends. An improvement.
The hypothesis of "violent video games cause violence" was taken up by national parent groups, and Congress was involved on more than one occasion. If the murder rate went UP in the 1990's instead of DOWN as violent video games became ubiquitous for teenage males, the legions of academia (THOUSANDS of published articles) and media who insisted "violent video games cause violence" would be even more confident their incorrect theory was correct.
Social media may be a variable in the current morass of young westerners, but it is certainly not the only variable in society today versus past generations.
The problem is with the parents. And with the fact that fifty percent of society doesn’t believe in God. Once you have a true perception of right and wrong life gets a lot simpler. If Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth and Love are perceived as synonyms for God, and you believe that you are a reflection of God your perception, the way you treat other people, the example you set for your children.
Check out disoccupied.com Boycott website inviting our active participation.
Too many people are too inclined to comply. Sure, it's human nature, but it can become a chronic problem. I look at the problems on TicTok and I look at the problems with political parties, and I see largely the same thing. Followers are the lifeblood of both TicTok and political parties.
I think it would be helpful if Jon also examined the bullies, as well as the bullied. He should also examine those who are neither. Full comprehension of an issue is essential to resolving it. Why do the bullies bully? Why are many children (and adults) immune to it?
The printing press had profound impact on human minds and societies. Now we have the printing press in our pockets.
This is a moronic comparison. If social media companies did not use persuasive technology design in their platforms to make them more addictive to boost ad revenue, this point might be close to valid. Social media is closer to a slot machine than a printing press.
Thank you for this fine demonstration of how the new pocket printing press allows anyone, anywhere to make an ass of themselves to strangers at any time.
We are seeing more and more Gen Z-ers come forward to ring the bell of Big Tech! https://www.parentswhofight.com/post/the-youth-led-accountability-movement
Check out the Wired Human Youth Coalition https://www.wiredhuman.org
The Wired Human Youth Coalition has done a lot of work to elevate student voices and perspectives, fighting for KOSA in D.C. and also recently with the Heat Initiative in a demonstration at Apple HQ. https://www.wiredhuman.org
ah this brings me so much hope. Not all humans are asleep after all!
Fabulous.
It’s so hard to get these ideas into the community. Tried to share wait till 8th info on my school parents FB page. Got taken down because they were afraid it would hurt the feelings of parents who gave their kids smart phones already….
Uf. At least, you're trying something.
The dominant paradigm will do everything to mute contrarian initiatives...
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯 Love that you are writing about this topic. Please keep writing and researching more on this topic. The Gen X intellectuals need to become more apprized to what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are thinking, feeling, reading, doing etc. If we don't, we will remain stunted and not be able to guide them appropriately. Thanks for covering this topic so diligently🙌🏻💯
Yes, this is a question I often ask myself, as someone who both teaches the history of comics (and other media) and wrote a chapter on labelling theory and moral panics for my thesis. Is this moral panic different than all the others? Haidt et al are right: first, it's lasted longer than the Werthamite scare about comics, though that effectively killed horror and scifi comics. Second, the arrival of first the internet then social media were once-in-a-civilization events, akin to the arrival of the printing press in the 16th century. You can't undo them. Third, by just paying attention to the social world around you, you can see the effects of modern tech: students hunched over their cell phones in public spaces, hiding from others; young people ready to anger easily, calling out their "enemies" as racist, sexist, homophobic, etc.; the mysterious belief that the Nazi party actually survived the fires of Berlin in 1945; that biological sex isn't real; etc. Everything has a cause, even if that cause isn't desired or healthy.
The main thing that's different from past moral panics - the Mods and Rockers in 60s England, the comic book scare of the 1950s, the D&D panic of the 70s/80s, and gansta rap around 1990 - is that not only are the state, the media and the corporate world (in part) on board with repression, but the objects of "care" and "safety", woke kids and their parents, are also on board. It's hard to imagine a 60s Mod, a 70s punk, an 80s dungeon lord, or a 90s rapper arguing for the repression of their own lifeworld. That's why John Lydon is an anti-woke populist.
It’s unconstitutional to regulate the internet. You can also trot out young people who are for gun control, but it doesn’t matter. We have a right to free speech, end of discussion. Find solutions that don’t involve the government.