Are We Raising a Generation That Can’t Log Off?
Have you ever tried a digital fast?
I mean really tried it. No
scrolling. No endless videos. No checking who liked your post. Just quiet.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how
much time we all spend online. Social media is not just a fun tool anymore. For
many of us, it feels like a need. For kids, it can feel almost impossible to
escape.
Some countries are starting to act.
In Australia, children 15 and under are not allowed to create social media
accounts. Leaders in Europe and even in the Philippines are talking about
similar rules. Why? Because the risks are growing.
There is a high chance of addiction.
Kids can face cyberbullying. Some are exposed to sexual exploitation. There is
also disinformation. Harmful content spreads fast. And now, with AI helping to
push content that keeps us hooked, the pull is even stronger.
Let’s be honest. Social media
platforms are designed to keep us there. The longer we scroll, the more they
gain. AI studies what we watch, what we like, and how long we pause. Then it
feeds us more of the same. It learns our weak spots.
That is not an accident.
Still, we should be careful about
rushing into total bans. They say platforms should first use the tools they
already have. It is possible to create kid-safe spaces. Certain videos can be
blocked. Harmful content can be filtered. Some platforms already do this in
limited ways.
But here is the bigger question: Are
we teaching young people how to handle the digital world?
Banning something may protect kids
for a time. But it also assumes they are not ready and never will be. Instead,
we could focus on media literacy. We could teach them how to spot harmful
content. We could help them understand how algorithms work. We could train them
to ask, “Why am I seeing this?”
If we do not teach them, who will?
That is why I keep coming back to
the idea of a digital fast. Not because phones are evil. Not because social
media is always bad. But because sometimes we need to step back and see how
much power it has over us.
A digital fast creates space. Space
to think. Space to talk face-to-face. Space to reflect.
When I log off, even for a short
time, I notice something. My mind slows down. I feel less anxious. I am more
present. I listen better.
Maybe the real danger is not just
addiction. Maybe it is losing our ability to sit still. To think deeply. To
connect in real life.
So I’ll ask you again: Have you
considered doing a digital fast?
In a world built to keep us
scrolling, choosing to pause might be the bravest thing we can do.
About Me:
Dominic “Doc” Ligot is
one of the leading voices in AI in the Philippines. Doc has been extensively
cited in local and global media outlets including The Economist, South China
Morning Post, Washington Post, and Agence France Presse. His award-winning work
has been recognized and published by prestigious organizations such as NASA,
Data.org, Digital Public Goods Alliance, the Group on Earth Observations (GEO),
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization
(WHO), and UNICEF.
If you need guidance
or training in maximizing AI for your career or business, reach out to Doc via https://docligot.com.
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