Leaving home early on Tuesday we caught the name Orwell out of the corner of our eye.
A second glance revealed it was a paperback version of Animal Farm. Suspecting it was for one of Chloe’s classes, we wondered aloud how great it was to see students being exposed to a famous work.
But alas, it was out of the home library in case there was time for some light reading in between studies.
The escape into dystopian classics, or works of fiction that challenge the imagination, are losing ground to the immediacy found in screen time.
A research paper released by HarperCollins UK this spring points to a plunge in parents’ efforts to read to their children. Gen Z parents who have grown up with technology find story time a daunting task that isn’t fun. Reading is equated with learning, as in school work, so the appeal to read to kids is dropping.
We understand greatly the absence of time in this increasingly busy world. It is far easier to hit play on a video or let online options occupy time.
While this societal change unfolds, it will be interesting to see if it shows up in the classroom. Many young parents over time have improved their child’s education by reading aloud.
Vocabulary, diction, sentence structure, imagination – all of these elements add to curiosity in the classroom when it comes time for formal learning.
As summer break approaches consider taking advantage of the county’s incredible library system. There are programs and comfortable spaces at each facility to renew the love of reading.
It’s a great habit to get into, regardless of age or status.
Best of all – it’s free.
Online safety
An interesting twist to our role as chair of Newsmedia Canada, is being aware of efforts around the globe to make online activities safer for young people.
Many states have passed laws insisting that access to social media channels be restricted based on age. Having teenagers wait until 13 or 16 before they can have accounts is an example.
European countries, as well as Australia, have made bold moves to cap usage, require confirmation of age, etc.
As alluring as social media channels are for keeping in touch, there is a dark undercurrent that comes with those platforms. Envy, glorification of unsafe activities or lifestyles, and negative feedback that drives anxiety and depression are outcomes no one likely considered when social media began.
We know these negatives to be true and between parents and legislators, efforts are underway to stem this damage.
It is very much a case of trying to put the genie back in the bottle at this point, but something needs to be done.
