Caveat – This article is a follow-up to my original post, which you can find here: https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/youth-technology-and-the-internet-a-personal-perspective/. It is the second in a series of three articles that I will be sharing surrounding my thoughts about youth, technology, and the internet.
Nostalgia: a longing for the past, often because it feels happier or simpler than the present
Tech Progressivism: A focus on the present and future, fostering digital literacy and online safety, with parents and caregivers guiding the balanced and age-appropriate use of technology.
As parents and caregivers, it’s only natural to feel nostalgic for a time when childhood seemed simpler. We often look back fondly on days spent playing outside, riding bikes with friends, and flipping through the Sears Christmas catalogue with our parents, picking out gifts we hoped to find under the tree. However, due to clever attention grabbing “collective marketing” tactics, widespread technology myths, and what researcher Dr. Peter Etchells calls “zombie statistics” that continue to circulate about youth and their technology use, many of today’s conversations about childhood and technology seem to be shaped by this yearning for a pre-digital era when children were seemingly free from the complexities of today’s onlife world.
But as appealing as this ideal might be, we must face a hard truth – “that world no longer exists!” Today’s reality is one where technology is deeply ingrained in nearly every aspect of our lives, including the way children play, learn, and connect with others. While it’s easy to romanticize about the past, clinging to that nostalgia can sometimes lead us to make decisions, as parents and caregivers, that may not fully prepare our children for the world they live in today.
For many parents and caregivers, the pre-digital era, rightly or wrongly, feels like a safer time. Back then, the risks seemed easier to manage – limited to scraped knees, curfews breaches, and not handing in homework assignments. Childhood play was physical, face-to-face, and seemingly free of the darker complexities that some now associate with today’s onlife world. Technology, if present at all, was largely confined to educational tools like computers in the school library, a TV in the living room to watch Sesame Street or Mr. Dressup, or the occasional home video game console like Atari’s Pong.
Fast forward to today, and it’s no wonder many parents and caregivers feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital tools and platforms their children have access to. From smartphones and tablets to social media, artificial intelligence, and streaming apps, today’s landscape is vastly different, and it can feel tempting to want to hit “pause” or rewind to a time when things felt less complicated.
However, delaying or avoiding technology doesn’t change the fact that the world our children are growing up in is digital and will continue to evolve. Our kids live in a world where access to information is instant, where socializing can often happen through screens, and where many future job prospects will likely require a high degree of tech literacy. The question isn’t whether technology is good or bad – it’s how we can equip our children to navigate it responsibly in an age-appropriate/developmental manner.
Yes, keeping kids away from screens can protect them from some of the pitfalls of technology, however, avoiding technology is not a long-term solution. As soon as kids gain access, whether it’s at school, at a friend’s house, or using a burner device you don’t know about, they’ll need to know how to use it responsibly. If they haven’t had any early guidance on digital literacy, this places them at risk. This is why a delay approach based solely on age is problematic, and why we advocate for a “redirect and pave the way” approach instead.
By clinging to the ideal of a simpler, pre-digital childhood, we run the risk of leaving our children unprepared for the challenges and opportunities they will face as they grow older. While it may feel comforting to focus on outdoor play and textbook learning (which are important), we cannot ignore that today’s world also requires a different skill set – one that includes not only traditional life literacy skill, but now also digital literacy skills as well – a form of “Tech Progressivism”.
There’s also the issue of balance. While it’s important for children to have non-digital experiences such as playing outside, using their imaginations, and spending time away from screens, technology is an inescapable part of their world. The challenge for parents and caregivers is to find ways to integrate both, ensuring that their children develop healthy age and emotionally appropriate relationships with technology, while still embracing other forms of play and learning.
Instead of yearning for the past, it’s crucial that parents and caregivers focus on preparing our children for the present and future. This means teaching them how to use age-appropriate technology responsibly in an age-appropriate manner, setting boundaries around screen use, and encouraging a balanced lifestyle that includes both digital and non-digital activities.
Parents and caregivers can help their children develop critical thinking skills when it comes to using technology and the internet, ensuring they understand how to evaluate information, recognize online risks, and make smart choices about what they share and consume online. These skills are just as important as learning how to ride a bike or solve a math problem, but they need to be taught and shepherded over time, with guidance and care by us parents and caregivers.
The nostalgic appeal of a simpler, pre-digital era is understandable, but it is my belief that holding onto that ideal can hinder our ability to effectively prepare our children for the realities of today’s onlife world. The digital landscape is here to stay, and it’s up to us as parents and caregivers to help our children navigate it with confidence, resilience, and responsibility.
Rather than trying to shield our children from technology, we can empower them by teaching them to use it wisely, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in a world that is increasingly shaped by digital connections and innovations. The best way forward isn’t by looking backwards – it’s by embracing the present and preparing for the future.
Let’s move from simply restricting or delaying access to instead fostering resilience. Instead of focusing on teaching youth how to survive in the onlife world, let’s teach them how to thrive in it. Technology isn’t something to fear – it’s a tool that can unlock incredible opportunities when used responsibly. Together, we can guide our children toward a balanced, informed, and empowered relationship with technology as they mature in life! My approach – it’s all about “know” tech rather than “no” tech!
Digital Food For Thought
Darren
The White Hatter
Part 3: “A Paradigm Shift from Delay to Empowerment!” will be posted on Monday Oct 7th
