For the past fifteen years or so, most people - the younger ones, especially - have been spending all of their free time on social media. They behave badly, as trolls and gossips, and they yell at each other in endless arguments. This has been highly detrimental to their mental health and that of society in general. But a…
For the past fifteen years or so, most people - the younger ones, especially - have been spending all of their free time on social media. They behave badly, as trolls and gossips, and they yell at each other in endless arguments. This has been highly detrimental to their mental health and that of society in general. But as AI Chatbox- type programming takes over the internet, young people will grow to regard it as mere propaganda, and not worth bothering with. I predict a time will come, probably within ten years, when young people discover how enormously rewarding it is to spend their time cultivating actual, in-person friendships. They will discover how much better it is, in every way, to have long, personal discussions, trust-based friendships, shared laughter, good times, and REAL connection. As you’ve said, Peter, we are social animals. This truth will win out in the end. History will look back on the ‘social media era’ as dystopian and unhealthy. The fact that Big Pharma filled this era with addictive, harmful drugs will also be disparaged as the nightmare that it has become.
I am your friend, Peter. And anyone reading this post: I would sure welcome any new friendships suggested to me!
Agreed! I’m curious - how old are you? I’m 68, and wondering if my perception on this is just because I remember the ‘normal times’ of living so well...
So again I’m curious, since I don’t have any grandchildren myself - when they come to visit you, will they play board games like Monopoly with you, or baseball, or anything other than their ‘devices’? Are they receptive to non-computer activities? (I’m wondering how bad it has become...)
Oh yes, we play board games, card games, etc. but only the youngest two, ages 12&14. They also play sports, basketball, baseball, football and track/field. These two are very active in sports so their parents allow screen time in their down time.
The oldest two, 15&18(18yo has been working since age15) are really good kids(good parenting)but are into video games when home and don’t interact with me much when I visit but they do have a great group of friends they’re very involved with and get together with at least weekly to play dungeons and dragons(🤷♀️)along with cooking for themselves and their guests.
A small blessing.
I also go visit them since it’s easier and they’re older now so no longer a need for babysitting, which I did a lot.
I’d like to add the decline in mental health in younger people the last 15-20 years has a lot to do with parenting and I believe if kids were not allowed phones(emergency only phones)and social media until at least 16 it would be wonderful.
All true, Peter.
For the past fifteen years or so, most people - the younger ones, especially - have been spending all of their free time on social media. They behave badly, as trolls and gossips, and they yell at each other in endless arguments. This has been highly detrimental to their mental health and that of society in general. But as AI Chatbox- type programming takes over the internet, young people will grow to regard it as mere propaganda, and not worth bothering with. I predict a time will come, probably within ten years, when young people discover how enormously rewarding it is to spend their time cultivating actual, in-person friendships. They will discover how much better it is, in every way, to have long, personal discussions, trust-based friendships, shared laughter, good times, and REAL connection. As you’ve said, Peter, we are social animals. This truth will win out in the end. History will look back on the ‘social media era’ as dystopian and unhealthy. The fact that Big Pharma filled this era with addictive, harmful drugs will also be disparaged as the nightmare that it has become.
I am your friend, Peter. And anyone reading this post: I would sure welcome any new friendships suggested to me!
Well said. I hope and pray your prediction of more human interaction and little or no social media becomes a reality.
It’s sorely needed in our failing society.
Agreed! I’m curious - how old are you? I’m 68, and wondering if my perception on this is just because I remember the ‘normal times’ of living so well...
I’m 67 and yes, I remember well the days before internet and “social”media.
We can see the collapse of society right before our eyes. My grandkids have no idea of what it would be like without internet. It’s terribly sad.
So again I’m curious, since I don’t have any grandchildren myself - when they come to visit you, will they play board games like Monopoly with you, or baseball, or anything other than their ‘devices’? Are they receptive to non-computer activities? (I’m wondering how bad it has become...)
Oh yes, we play board games, card games, etc. but only the youngest two, ages 12&14. They also play sports, basketball, baseball, football and track/field. These two are very active in sports so their parents allow screen time in their down time.
The oldest two, 15&18(18yo has been working since age15) are really good kids(good parenting)but are into video games when home and don’t interact with me much when I visit but they do have a great group of friends they’re very involved with and get together with at least weekly to play dungeons and dragons(🤷♀️)along with cooking for themselves and their guests.
A small blessing.
I also go visit them since it’s easier and they’re older now so no longer a need for babysitting, which I did a lot.
I’d like to add the decline in mental health in younger people the last 15-20 years has a lot to do with parenting and I believe if kids were not allowed phones(emergency only phones)and social media until at least 16 it would be wonderful.