What's the Deal with Kids These Days

I remember enjoying boredom as a child. I would lie for hours in the grass, looking up at the sky through the little spaces between the leaves above me. When I closed my eyes, I’d watch the shadows change across my eyelids, a flashing kaleidoscope of red and less red, sometimes with veins, sometimes without. I imagined myself up in the clouds or flying above the earth. I imagined journeying across the land in my horse-drawn gypsy wagon. I had the true luxury of boredom. I had the luxury of creativity from my own ideas.
Kids don’t have that opportunity anymore. There's always something to entertain them, always someone to message with, always something to watch. They aren’t required to use their imaginations to feel entertained. They don’t get to sit quietly, soaking up nature and exploring their imagination like I did.
The first and most obvious major difference is technology and screen time. Children today have access to smartphones, tablets, and computers from an early age. This constant connectivity offers many advantages in terms of learning and communication, but it also means that kids spend less time engaging in free play and physical activities.

There is evidence to suggest that the fast pace and constant stimulation provided by digital devices and rapidly changing images can impact children's attention spans, increasing ADHD and ADD-like symptoms. One drawback is the dependence on and insistence on instant gratification. Digital media often provides instant rewards and feedback, which can make it challenging for children to engage in activities that require sustained attention or delayed gratification.

Another consideration is how technology programs our kids to multitask at all times. For some time, the ability to multitask has been a desired attribute at home and in the workplace. Many digital activities encourage multitasking, such as using multiple apps simultaneously or switching between tasks quickly. This can make it more difficult for children to focus deeply on one task at a time.

The same goes for adults. Screen time, particularly involving fast-paced or multitasking environments, can impact executive functioning, which includes skills like sustained attention, impulse control, and task management. More recent studies indicate monotasking leads to improved focus and productivity. Think of the brand Apple. They make ONE phone. They focus on ONE thing, and they are crushing the market.

In earlier decades, we played in person, outside, with less direct supervision. Now, with technology comes social media and an online presence. I was a kid in the 80s, and unlike the 1980s and 1990s, today's children have an online presence. I struggled with depression and a positive self-image without social media. Social media can influence their self-esteem, peer interactions, and overall mental health. I can only imagine how hard it is to manage online relationships and cyberbullying nowadays. In addition to digital access to their peers and others, a heightened awareness of safety concerns means children have less freedom to explore on their own. This increases children’s opportunities for screen time but decreases their time spent in nature.
Grounding, or "earthing," is a practice that involves direct physical contact with the earth’s surface, such as walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand. It is based on the idea that the Earth has a mild negative charge and can provide health benefits when the body comes into direct contact with it. I taught 5th grade with a primarily autistic population. Some of those kids were deemed “runners,” meaning when faced with great overstimulation or stressors, they had the tendency to take off running, and we would have to search for them. We often found them with their shoes and socks stripped off, laying on a grassy knoll or in a tree. It was as if they were following the rules of what their bodies needed instead of society’s rules.

If we even look at one of the most common clothing options, rubber-soled shoes, we might note they act as a barrier between our bodies and the Earth's surface, potentially reducing the opportunity for earthing or grounding. Forcing kids to be separated from the earth could really be impacting them in a negative way. One of the reported benefits of grounding is improved sleep. Advocates suggest that grounding can help regulate sleep patterns, potentially due to reducing stress and the synchronization of bodily rhythms with the Earth's natural frequencies. Another benefit is reduced inflammation. Studies have indicated that grounding may help lower inflammation by affecting the levels of electrons in the body. While scientific research on grounding is still emerging, many people find spending time barefoot in nature to be a soothing and restorative practice. It's a simple approach that encourages disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with the natural world, offering potential physical and mental health benefits.

Are these changes in how our kids are growing up all bad though? No, of course not. Our kids have an increased sense of environmental awareness: Today's youth are more aware of climate change and environmental issues, motivating many to become active in advocacy and sustainability efforts. There is also a greater awareness and dialogue around mental health today, leading to better support systems but also highlighting the prevalence of mental health challenges. Another for is that children's media today often feature more diverse characters and inclusive themes, which can provide positive role models but also require navigating complex social issues.

What we can do to help? While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts, many educators and psychologists recommend balancing screen time with activities that promote focus and attention-building, such as reading, puzzles, or time spent in nature, to support the development of attention endurance in children.


A good way to start is modeling healthy behaviors. If adults frequently switch tasks or use devices in front of children, it can reinforce short attention spans, as children often model behaviors observed in their environment. We can also provide more positive interventions. While screens can impact attention, intentional strategies such as setting screen time limits, promoting activities that require focus (like reading or puzzles), and encouraging mindfulness and play without digital distractions can help balance these effects. And Finally, with the internet, kids today have unlimited access to information, which can be empowering but also overwhelming. They need to learn digital literacy skills to navigate misinformation and understand complex topics.

As we guide the next generation, we hold the responsibility to be intentional in our actions and choices. Let’s cultivate environments where children can thrive both digitally and naturally. I'm developing online courses for kids, particularly those with a different process (like me), to learn to regulate their emotions through art, color, and movement. We can improve our kids lives by recognizing the changes in their environment and creating solutions to meet them where they are. Check this link out at for more information.

By modeling balanced and mindful behaviors, we can inspire them to embrace creativity, imagination, and connection with the world around them. Remember, the future we envision for our children begins with the actions we take today. Let’s strive to be the change we wish to see, nurturing their growth amidst the ever-evolving landscape of modern childhood.