Modern culture is transforming childhood, and no one wants to talk about it. Contemporary culture has evolved in positive and negative ways. When looking at how modern culture has impacted the youth, it has widely exposed the truth of the media and shifted the pressure on individuals. The digital age provides full access to information and communities but also intensifies pressures for conformity, body image, and social validation, creating both opportunities for self-expression and significant challenges to mental well-being. Today’s teens deal with complex and interconnected issues where normal face-to-face interactions are now replaced by online interactions.
I would argue that Modern culture has shifted many normal activities, such as making a phone call, which is surprising, considering we are on our phones a lot. However, BBC News proves that teens are less likely to know how to adapt in the moment without being able to see the person speaking. A recent survey conducted by BBC News says that people aged from 18-34 never answer the phone, “respondents say they ignore the ringing, respond via text or search the number online if they don’t recognize it.” The survey taken by 2000 people, nearly 70% of 18-34 year olds prefer a text to a phone call.” To avoid human interaction, many people’s first thought is to let the phone ring and respond later via text, not even a simple callback. I am guilty of this. Although this is a problem among upcoming generations, this doesn’t just affect Generation Z, but also the generation above millennials, also a part of this study.
As a Generation Z teenager, I am well aware that adolescence is declining in today’s society. There was a study conducted and analyzed by the Society for Research in Child Development, claiming, “Teens are growing up much slower than they used to. In terms of adult activities 18 year olds now look like 15-year-olds once did.” Modernization is shattering childhoods; how is it possible to prevent further setbacks of the generations to come? While the past cannot be modified, the future can.
