Digital Distractions – A Disturbing Trend That Is Destroying Gen Alpha

Every generation claims that their childhood days were better than the current generation. But for the first time for Gen Alpha (children born entirely in the 21st century), Digital Distractions are posing a real threat – a disturbing trend that is destroying modern childhood. If you have a view on this, should you read this post then?

Our parents have said something similar to us. Our grandparents may have told us similar things to our parents. But what is different today is the alarming pace of change.

Digital advancement is faster than ever in history. Never before have been as a generation needed to face distraction from multiple on slots like the children of today.

Kids in the Gen­er­a­tion Alpha club are the first gen­er­a­tion to be born entire­ly with­in the 21st cen­tu­ry. They’re immersed in tech­nol­o­gy and described by diver­si­ty in crucial areas, includ­ing their race and eth­nic­i­ty, fam­i­ly struc­ture, and fam­i­ly finances. They’re also the first gen­er­a­tion to expe­ri­ence an ear­ly child­hood defined by the coro­n­avirus pan­dem­ic.

Here are some of the visible manifestations as any parent or teacher would relate to –

• ‘Friends’ and ‘Followers’ everywhere but none to go to.
• ‘Subscribers’ who cannot and do not understand their feelings
• ‘Likes’ that mean nothing in reality

And this has led to –

1. extreme low focus,
2. infinitesimal self-esteem,
3. constant comparisons,
4. the insatiable need for external validation and
5. a persistent feeling of emptinesses.

This is what I believe are the causes

1. Nonstop television and OTT
2. Immersive video games
3. Mindless YouTube and Video Apps
4. Fast-rolling images and high-pitched audio
5. Infinite Scroll

And here’s what we can do as parents and teachers to fix them. Create an environment to do the following –

1. Create time for ‘Pause and Ponder’
2. Have those ‘Do Nothing Hours’
3. Teach them to make ‘Peace with Boredom’
4. Have activities to build Sensory and Motor Skills
5. Build a sense of compassion and to help others
6. Go on ‘Nature Walks’
7. Fill your home with Books and inculcate Book Reading
8. You can play ‘What-If’ and Imagination Games
9. Go on Long walks, rides, and drives to nowhere
10. Do ‘Undestination’ Travels, where the journeys are  to nowhere with no specific agenda.

What else? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below