08/09/2024
As a Gen X I grew up in a different world - I myself was shy when younger, but we had no option but to engage, communicate and show up in person, and my heart breaks for what we have allowed in one generation to happen to our children..and I am not embarrassed to own it⌠and say we should have done better.
We ignored the warnings that âwhen you give your child a phone you lose themâ, we bought the video games, the virtual reality purchases that shut out the real worldâŚ
I tried to resist the tide - Lucy still tells the story that she was the only child in her year not allowed a Nintendo ⌠but I like many parents was facing an unwinnable fightâŚanother friend would have one anywayâŚ
We stood by and didnât realise that apps would replace having to talk to someone to order a drink or meal, get a taxi or pretty much arrange anything..
We shopped online and helped create the absence of vibrant towns and places to go..
My 14 year old self would have thought nothing better than venturing to the shopping arcade or precinct with friends âŚnow the precincts are half empty and nothing is worth buying anywayâŚ
Netflix replaced the cinema - no need to go out of your own front door - stay in instead, itâs the ânewâ Friday night donât you knowâŚ
We queued for tickets to see our favourite band and talked to each other - we werenât met with an automated answer machine..
We banked our cheques, we had to go into the actual branch..
We paid for our goods in person and had to make eye contact ..
We met our partners in real time at a physical place - not swiping on by..
We wrote and received letters we put thought into it - we spoke on the phone, it didnât matter if it was past 6 or 9pm
We are living in a pandemic of loneliness, huge mental health issues and an inability to be social - yet we are social animals - our youngsters live in dread of having to make a call (text wonât surfice), send a parcel back by going to an actual office, make or go to an appointmentâŚdebate, negotiate, haggle âŚ
My heart tells me this isnât progress..
My heart tells me we have failed a generation.
My prayer is itâs not too late âŚ
It starts with us admitting we failed them âŚ
Iâm sorry, Please Forgive Me, I love you, Thank you
