I’ll start this off sounding a bit like your cranky grandparent – something I never imagined I’d morph into. Here I am, though, channeling the same technical hostility I’ve always rolled my eyes at. “You shouldn’t watch that much TV,” “You ought to get more sunlight.” “You’ll end up marrying your computer,” they said I hear myself saying.
But bear with me; this is not about shunning progress or denying the marvels of the modern world. No, it’s about a peculiar irony where we, the mighty Millennials, celebrated as the digital natives, pioneers of social media, and embracers of every Apple release, like faithful pilgrims at a high-tech shrine, eagerly anticipate each announcement, ready to embrace the latest innovations and integrate them into their daily lives, find ourselves in a technological conundrum. That was like the longest sentence ever 😅
What’s my point? Well our latest craze, The Vision Pro from Apple. Sleek, yes. Life changing, maybe? But here’s the kicker: Enough is enough. In our quest for the newest, shiniest gadgets, we might just be setting up our kids—Generation Alpha—for a rather unplugged life lesson in what they’re missing out on. It’s time to embody the spirit of the Greatest Generation and start the process of detoxification from technology for our children.
Your eyes will turn square!
Parents of millennials as we were indulging in binge watching before Netflix
Let’s talk about this for a moment. We’ve always prided ourselves on being ahead of the curve, tech-wise. Remember how we mastered the art of the selfie, how we turned social media into our playground? For the love of God, the meme! All while our parents were completely clueless. If the generation before us has monetised the internet, then we have certainly memefied it.
Yet, our greatest downfall might just be this relentless pursuit of technological advancements to the detriment of our little ones. It’s as if we’re inadvertently robbing them of the chance to experience life beyond the screen, to learn from the world in its unfiltered glory. What chance will they get when we, their parents, have left the physical world behind?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating for a return to the dark ages, where one had to stand in the elevator for 45 seconds just being bored. I mean can you imagine having to sit and wait for the bus without pulling out your phone to mindlessly scroll social media for 2 minutes? Oh it hurts to even think about!
However, there has got to be some sort of life lesson from not constantly being bombarded with stimulation from your smartphone. Like the simple joys and harsh lessons of reality that no VR experience, no matter how immersive, can replicate. Our obsession with our smartphones and gadgets like the Vision Pro might just be a testament to our generation’s biggest irony: in equipping our kids with the world at their fingertips, we’re simultaneously stripping away their chance to navigate it with their own hands.
I get it; you need to get away from it all. The wars, the economy, the being an adult. Or you’re just looking to be more efficient. How many tasks can I leave unfinished if my entire view field is a giant desktop? How many Chrome tabs can I leave unread?
Think about it. When was the last time you saw a kid climb a tree? Or skin their knee in a bike race? These used to be rites of passage, teaching resilience, problem-solving, and the art of dusting oneself off and trying again. In our digital utopia, these experiences are becoming endangered species, replaced by virtual achievements and digital badges of honor. And while there’s undeniable value in the skills gained from navigating complex digital landscapes, one has to wonder: Are we dumbing down our kids one gadget at a time?
This isn’t just about nostalgia or resisting change. It’s about balance. It’s about remembering that for all the knowledge and connectivity our devices offer, there’s an irreplaceable value in the tactile, messy, and sometimes painful lessons learned away from the glow of a screen. It’s about questioning whether, in our pursuit of giving our children everything, we’re actually depriving them of the fundamental experiences that help them grow into well-rounded, resilient adults.
So, here’s to finding that middle ground. To embracing technology without letting it replace the irreplaceable. To giving Generation Alpha the chance not just to navigate the digital world, but to conquer the real one too. After all, the greatest advancements shouldn’t just enhance our digital lives but enrich our human experience. Maybe, just maybe, in recognizing our folly, we can give our kids the opportunity to embrace technology as a tool, not a crutch, and in doing so, teach them the most valuable lesson of all: how to live fully, both online and off.
In the end, perhaps it’s not about shunning the new but about revaluing the old. It’s a call to my fellow Millennials to remember that the best parts of our childhood weren’t digitally enhanced. They were real, raw, and utterly irreplaceable. Let’s not rob Generation Alpha of the chance to say the same.
Put your damn phone and VR glasses away, your eyes are needed elsewhere.
