Promoting the healthy use of digital technology is one of the big challenges facing parents, teachers and anyone working with young people today. As part of our commitment to developing holistic wellbeing, we’ll be sharing any resources we come across that help us pick a way through the #digitalmaze.
A lot of people are discussing the ‘millennial question’: how to engage with and get the best out of the current generation of 15-30 year olds. They are often portrayed negatively as entitled, narcissistic and lazy. But equally they are idealistic, visionary and wanting to make a positive impact on the world. So how can those of us who work with young people help them to leverage their dreams and talents to become the best they can be?
In this short but thought-provoking video, author and speaker Simon Sinek suggests that the instant gratification the internet offers us is robbing this generation of the ability to develop meaningful relationships, purposeful careers and lasting happiness.
If you’re going out with people and you’re all meeting together, just leave the phone at home. You’ll enjoy your time together much more.
This isn’t just kill-joy preaching, there’s science to back it up: people who spend more time on Facebook suffer higher rates of depression than people who spend less time on Facebook. [See for yourself]
Given the ease of access to social media platforms of all kinds, this is a significant threat to the wellbeing of every young person Citywise works with, mentors and staff included!
Don’t have time to watch the whole vid? Here are some of his top tips for setting healthy boundaries around how we use technology (good for anyone who owns a smartphone/watch/tablet, not just millenials!):
- Struggling to focus for example while doing homework, or in a meeting at work? Put it away. When you remove the temptation it’s easier not to get distracted.
- Constantly checking your phone while spending time with friends or family? If you’re going out with people and you’re all meeting/going home together, just leave the phone at home. You’ll enjoy your time together much more.
- Insomnia? Checking your phone in the middle of the night doesn’t help. Simple step: don’t charge your phone by your bed, leave it in a living room.
- “But it’s my alarm clock!” I’ll buy you an alarm clock!
