Grateful I Grew Up Before the Whole World Was Watching.
I listened to a TED talk this past February that started a shift in my thinking about kids these days.
It increased my empathy for them and continues to influence me.
When I was in secondary school, camera phones were just coming onto the market — their quality was low, and no one dared to try sending a picture because data rates were so high on our pay-as-you-go plans.
Fast forward to today, where children in a typical high school have instant access to a high-resolution camera and super-fast internet to transmit photos and videos in seconds.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) further adds complexity by allowing even the novice to edit, distort, and manipulate images. Even an innocent photo or video can be transformed into something harmful.
I did some silly, stupid, and dumb things when I was in high school. One that springs to mind was dropping my trousers in class to prove my underwear style. There were maybe 30 students in that class, most of whom probably had no clue it happened.
Such an act in school today carries a high likelihood of it being captured on video and in seconds spread like wildfire around the student body. Innocent acts of youthful immaturity can quickly be weaponized for teasing, bullying, and manipulation.
I feel so grateful that I grew up mostly at a time when the whole world — especially my friend group — wasn’t capturing everything on a phone.
As I observe these dramatic changes, my commitment to waiting until adulthood to give my children smartphones and social media solidifies.
I desire my home to be a refuge for my children where they feel free from peer pressure — a space where they can just be themselves. A place where the whole world isn’t watching, comparing, and tempting them. Somewhere they can leave behind some of the cares of life and be fully present and focused on building real relationships.
From my home,
Matthew
Founder, DADS™— Dads Against Devices™
Our pledge.
I will lead my family — by example and instruction — to be present, build relationships, strengthen the body, and nurture the attributes of love, communication, empathy, kindness, gratitude, humility, forgiveness, critical thinking, imagination, discipline, patience, integrity, resilience, courage, wisdom, and faith. To protect my family, I will not allow social media or unlimited, unmonitored, and unrestricted access to screens, gaming, or the internet in my home, nor will I provide personal smartphones to my children until they demonstrate the maturity to use them responsibly.