Kids, technology, and the world they're growing into

Many parents today are reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and there's a growing movement to keep devices away from kids for as long as possible.

And to be clear, I agree with that.

Young children should spend as much time as possible experiencing the world without screens. Play, imagination, and face-to-face interaction are foundational. When kids make up games, they learn how to negotiate, problem-solve, and lead. They learn how to advocate for themselves and how to stand up for others. These are essential skills.

For very young children, physical development is especially critical. Babies and toddlers should not be on devices. Their bodies are developing in ways that directly support later cognitive growth. Crawling, for example, builds the strength and coordination needed for fine motor skills like writing. This was something deeply emphasized during my studies in Human Development at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education. Early physical experiences literally shape future capacity.

Another book I recommend is Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. It reinforces something deeply important about how children learn and relate to the world.

Children are naturally curious. They don't need to be forced to learn; they are driven to explore. In fact:

"Playing and learning are one and the same… it comes naturally, because they're keen to explore the world." (Bregman, 2020)

This is a powerful reminder that meaningful learning doesn't come from memorization or passive consumption. It comes from experience, especially social experience. And perhaps most relevant to the world we're living in today:

"Prejudice, hatred and racism stem from a lack of contact… the remedy seemed obvious: more contact." (Bregman, 2020)

When children have the opportunity to interact with people who are different from them, something important happens. They begin to see beyond stereotypes. They develop empathy. They recognize shared humanity.

But the reality is we are raising children in a world where technology is inevitable.

Even Haidt himself makes an important distinction:

"Technology in and of itself is not bad, it's how you use it… it was designed to help people connect and communicate." (Haidt, The Anxious Generation)

So the question isn't whether kids will use technology. It's what kind of experiences we're creating for them when they do.

The question we're trying to answer

At Brighter Day, this is the question we're trying to answer:

What if technology could actually help kids understand each other rather than compare themselves to one another?

What if, instead of performance and popularity, the focus was on:

• curiosity
• storytelling
• shared experience

What if kids could see what daily life looks like for other kids around the world, not through filters or trends, but through real, authentic stories? Because if Bregman is right (and the research strongly suggests he is), then increasing meaningful contact, even in small ways, can shape how children see the world and each other. And that matters.

This isn't about replacing real-world experience; it's about complementing it. Kids should still:

• play outside
• make up games
• move their bodies
• build relationships in person

And when they do engage with technology, it should be:

• intentional
• safe
• rooted in something real

Because the goal isn't just to raise kids who are informed, it's to raise kids who are:

• empathetic
• curious
• open to the world and the people in it

We often worry about how technology is shaping children. That's a valid concern. But we also have an opportunity right now to shape technology in a way that supports the kind of humans we hope they become.

If we believe that:

• kindness is contagious
• connection builds understanding
• children are naturally wired to learn through experience

Then the question becomes: how can we design experiences that bring those things to life?

Photos by Brighter Day Media, LLC. Books referenced are independently selected and not affiliated.