In the mid-1960s, cigarette use peaked in the United States. More than 40% of Americans smoked.
60 years later, we look back on that time and think, "Why didn't all those people know better?"
The iPhone was released in 2007. In 2067, when people look back on us and how we've used smartphones, what will they think?
I think the biggest question people in 2067 will have is, "Can you believe those people in the 2010s and 2020s let their children have completely unrestricted smartphones?"
There is growing evidence against phones, but we can't wait for it to become conclusive. We need to act now.
Communities need to pull together and organise themselves and come to an agreement that they don't give their children smart phones until they are 16 (or they buy them themselves). We can't wait for the laws to change.
Interesting. I’m recording a podcast today based on Haidt’s book. Actually, although the science shows a correlation it does not show causation (it’s not as definitive as he claims).
There are also marginalized groups of kids who benefit from social media, etc. and phones don’t ruin ALL kids’ lives. Yes, phones are a problem, but I doubt they are going anywhere and we’ll never have everyone agree to wait until 16 (there are people who give their 8-year-olds smart phones).
The science IS clear, that as parents we have to educate our kids about the use of phones and social media. For now, digital literacy is the key. Banning and “just say no” has never worked for adolescents (science does clearly show that) but understanding that they are being taken advantage of by “Big Social” actually can. Unfortunately, the cat’s out of the bag and as parents it’s up to us to educate them and teach them how to manage that computer in their pocket (while monitoring what we can).
In the mid-1960s, cigarette use peaked in the United States. More than 40% of Americans smoked.
60 years later, we look back on that time and think, "Why didn't all those people know better?"
The iPhone was released in 2007. In 2067, when people look back on us and how we've used smartphones, what will they think?
I think the biggest question people in 2067 will have is, "Can you believe those people in the 2010s and 2020s let their children have completely unrestricted smartphones?"
Thanks for sharing your article!
There is growing evidence against phones, but we can't wait for it to become conclusive. We need to act now.
Communities need to pull together and organise themselves and come to an agreement that they don't give their children smart phones until they are 16 (or they buy them themselves). We can't wait for the laws to change.
Interesting. I’m recording a podcast today based on Haidt’s book. Actually, although the science shows a correlation it does not show causation (it’s not as definitive as he claims).
There are also marginalized groups of kids who benefit from social media, etc. and phones don’t ruin ALL kids’ lives. Yes, phones are a problem, but I doubt they are going anywhere and we’ll never have everyone agree to wait until 16 (there are people who give their 8-year-olds smart phones).
The science IS clear, that as parents we have to educate our kids about the use of phones and social media. For now, digital literacy is the key. Banning and “just say no” has never worked for adolescents (science does clearly show that) but understanding that they are being taken advantage of by “Big Social” actually can. Unfortunately, the cat’s out of the bag and as parents it’s up to us to educate them and teach them how to manage that computer in their pocket (while monitoring what we can).