The Anxious Generation
I’ve taken a little break from diving into the issue around social emotional learning over the past couple weeks because I really wanted to think about what I’ve covered so far and pause to reflect and observe what’s been going on around me within the school systems and listen to what other people are talking about on this topic.
One thing that has really stuck out to me over the last bit has been on the topic of what is being called the ‘anxious generation’ and what is being said about it. I have a friend who works in SD62 as an Engagement Facilitator and she’s also a trained counsellor. She’s been posted a bunch of information on this topic around the use of technology for children and youth. She recently posted this video:
I sat with this information for about a week or two and then I also heard a bunch of my fellow PDP students speaking about his book they’ve been reading. It took me a bit to put two and two together but it was the book “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt (which is who is in the above video). They said they highly recommend it and it got a group of us speaking about the use of cell phones and technology with our young people.
As I go on to read more and more about his book and the topic of technology in our children’s lives, it’s got me thinking more and more about what I’ve posted so far. At first, I was against the idea of integrating technology into the classroom to help with social emotional learning. Then after doing some research, I saw how it could be used as tool in various forms including supporting the teacher, parent and student. Now I’m rethinking this all over again. And I think that’s the point!! Ideally, students would be engaging in independence, free play, socializing with their peers and having authentic human interactions. But is there a balance? Can technology still play a role or to the cons outweighs any pros. Are children and youth mature and developed enough to find the balance?
Haidt makes these recommendations:
Needless to say, I feel there may be no right answers. I think it’s a case by case basis but I do feel that I tend to sway with the idea that children need more time away from their screens. When teaching social, emotional learning, let’s try other tools and ways of engagement first, and then if we bring it technology, keep it simple, minimal and balance it with authentic human interactions.
This topic is far from complete and since the use of technology and it’s affect on our children is still so new, these conversations are just starting. But I do feel we are on the brink of change. It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next 10 years!!