The debate on “School is ruining childhood” really got me thinking. Before the debate, I was convinced that it was ruining childhood and that kids weren’t using it the way it was intended. But after hearing both sides, I found myself rethinking that stance. In fact, I probably should’ve been arguing against that idea myself as my own son uses technology in so many positive ways to stay engaged and socialize. Apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Discord, TikTok, YouTube, and Roblox have helped him stay connected, especially with his social anxiety. When looking at the article the against side shared titled “Social Media Benefits”, the points made were well-supported, and I could relate to many of them based on what I’ve experienced with my son too.

That said, the issue isn’t the technology itself, it’s the amount of time spent on it and the addictive nature of constant screen use. One point the pro team made was that social media isolates kids more than it connects them. I can see that in some cases, but for my son, it’s actually helped him build and maintain relationships. The flip side is that it can also reinforce his anxiety about face-to-face interactions, since there’s no pressure to go out when you can connect with people from your room 24/7.

I really appreciated the point the against team made about how the idea of a “perfect childhood” is always changing. It made me think of that meme where our parents thought we were vs. where we actually were. Haha.

Good old days : r/Memes_Of_The_Dank

We all (or maybe just me) did things we weren’t proud of, and bad people were around back then too, but they didn’t have the same level of access to kids. There were no phones to take pictures and videos of behaviours etc. I remember using online chatrooms as a joke with friends, but looking back now, it’s scary to think about who we were actually talking to.

As a parent, I feel like it’s our responsibility to monitor and guide our kids online. It’s tempting to say, “just don’t let them have phones or tablets,” but would that actually help them in the long run? Tech isn’t going away and teaching them how to navigate it safely seems more realistic and helpful. Like the against team said, every generation of parents has had something to fear, rock music, video games, now social media. Sure, we all made questionable choices growing up, but maybe those experiences made us more aware today.

In the end, I don’t think social media is ruining childhood. If anything, it’s the lack of boundaries and guidance from us as adults that plays a bigger role. The article with Becky’s Parenting Tips that the pro side shared with us would agree. Finding that balance is the real challenge.

Have a great day!