I woke-up this morning thinking about the “digital dominance” revolution. I very much see this evolutionary course as a “double-edged sword”, and I can already foresee that this sword could actually be the undoing of humanity if it isn’t swung (managed) with care. The reason why we currently have a concept called “society/ community” is that a sufficient number of people consider that they belong to – and can trust in and align to the commonly held values/ ways of – a group of people.
Digital tech – and electronic communication platforms in particular (e.g. social media sites) – are actually serving to make an increasing portion of the human population more introverted (self-concerned) than ever before; and less concerned about forming/ fostering “real world” connections/ relationships with other people.
We often talk with our children about what a “Friend” is versus what a “Friend” isn’t, as their desire to have access to “Friends” via social media platforms intensifies. Cathy and I explain that a “Friend” is in fact not someone who lives on the other side of the world in a country that they have perhaps never / seldom heard of, who has no previous shared experiences with them, and who wishes to form a relationship by clicking on a button marked “Friend” on a digital screen. Rather (as we see it), a “Friend” is someone who they firstly (and most importantly) have had interaction with in a “real world” context (because they have perhaps climbed trees together, swam together, ridden horses together, attended school together, etc), and someone who they have formed some level of emotional attachment with (i.e. they have grown to like them) through the “real world” experiences that they have shared with them. Cathy and I are firmly in the camp which encourages kids to have “real world” experiences with “real people” who they form “real relationships” with.
Don’t let your children hide behind screens so-called “communicating” in a “faceless” way to so-called “friends”…help them forge open, trust-laden positive relationships with others through them (dare I say it) “being” with others face-to-face…sharing their company/ friendship, and receiving the benefit of emotional connection.