To think we're going to have a generation of adults unable to socialise?

This is kind of bs, isn't it.

It's often quite clear what's going on, and the fact is we all see people around us doing this stuff all day, in homes, out and about, at schools, extended family.

They weren't all up until 4am.

I agree - our school had to ask parents not to be on their phones when they picked up their children after school, they told them that the children are excited to see them and it was sad to see parents on their phones. They still do it though, always the same ones...

I hate this. All the research says it's very bad, even for university kids. And my kids hate it too, even though they have good access to computers - lots of friends are trying to do it on phones! And people wonder why they aren't learning. They would love to just have a text book and work on paper.

They read almost nothing in school, most have no idea even how to use a library.

Why schools think it's ok I do not know.

I remember being home alone all day in the holidays at 12 - I would cook, go out with friends (and lock up the house), go to the pool etc. all without adult supervision - but now there are threads asking about childcare for 14 year olds or whether it's okay to leave a 13 year old for two hours in the evening.

If kids aren't allowed out unsupervised and are stuck at home all day, of course they're going to go and sit on a screen.

I agree with this tbh. Both my and DP's very middle class hands on parents let us have the TV on for hours each night after school. People are much more conscious nowadays.

No, it's because when I go to a restaurant it's to enjoy a meal and conversation with the person/people I've gone with.

I'm surprised it needs explaining really.

I definitely think there are disadvantages to too much technology, but there are also people like my own autistic DC who would benefit from a world with less socialising. People who enjoy socialising will always find a way to do so.

I used to worry about this but actually my kids are all older now and they are nowhere near as into their phones as they were when they were at school etc, when it seemed such a big deal.

And I grew up with my head in a book not wanting to do anything else. I'd read in the car, while walking, while sitting in a restaurant, while watching TV. I even used to sit and read in the bath and would stay up late to read.

I do agree screens give dopamine hits but I also think if it wasn't screens, it would be something else.

Yep and they respond with well it’s not as safe as it used to be 🤣🤣🤣
there has always been bad people, they could have always been kidnapped but the chances are slim.

It is horrible to see sometimes, especially when they rush out to show their parent what they've made or the painting they did or something, and the parent just nods at the teacher as they grab the kid's hand and walk off with their ear still glued to the phone.

I've seen it many times.

Some of these children may have additional needs (not all of them of course but as onlookers we can’t tell) Wearing headphones and having access to their technology is likely to mean the difference between them being able to go to a restaurant or not.

Because people are going on about how awful screens are, but use them for hours themselves.

I mean - why is it okay to use a screen when you're home alone but it's not okay to use one to have some downtime in a restaurant or at an airport? Is it because one is in public or something?

They are much worse. Do you work with children? The dopamine hit from games ( phones, I pads etc) means they don't want to do ANYTHING else. They are purposely made that way. The UK has a huge problem with children and screens, in many other countries children play with others outside. Still happens here but no where near the level it should.

Children's childhoods have changed immensely. And the for the worse.

That’s depressing . They shouldn’t be answering work calls at school drop off or pick up time. Just horrible.

Surely if they aren’t working then they are with their 3 year old the other 12 waking hours if the day?

Totally agree.

I posted on another thread recently about how I'd go into town with friends aged 8-9 without my parents, and everyone was horrified and saying they'd ring social services if they knew of it happening today.

Why? 😳

What people are saying is there's a time and a place for screens, that's all.

For example I'm home alone right now and ok, I'm ignoring my greyhound but she's fast asleep on the sofa.

It's also not about "everyone socialising beautifully". It's about taking a breather and looking around you, people watching and taking in society and how people behave day to day. Engaging and responding with parents and other people, looking at everyday things like birds and dogs on leads. Having conversation no matter how mundane.

Being bored is also seriously underrated - having time to clear your brain and think is only a good thing. It breeds creativity and original thought. If you're constantly plugged into videos you are missing so much important stuff. Nothing on an iPad is as important as real life.

It was ever thus - there is no golden age when we all communicated with each other on public transport. Every generation finds some 'threat' to worry about, be it books, newspapers or Sony Walkmans. Phones and i-pads are no worse than books for young children and in many ways they are better, in that they are interactive.

I really don’t think kids can win these days

you shouldn’t let your children out on their own it’s a dangerous world now ( again makes no sense ) because I swear my generation has the most kidnapped children ever )
but they shouldn’t be playing video games, talking to their friends on the phone etc

we either need to give them more freedom again or stop judging them for their screen time habits.

Yes but the no of parents who don’t talk to their kids because they are glued to the phone is ridiculous

I'm with you OP. Every week at my DC's swimming lesson there's a parent who plonks an iPad (at full volume) in front of their young child. The parent isn't working. Just grabs a coffee, scrolls though social media, chats to random people. I find it depressing they can't just chat to their 3 year old for half an hour. I'm sure others will say maybe that's the only time they go on it etc etc but nope, it's just excuses to me. Three DC and they never needed a screen to entertain them out and about.

My experience is no less valid than yours or anyone else's.

And people may not be saying it directly, but they are banging on about how we all chatted on public transport or how nobody ever ignored each other in pubs or restaurants - ironically while staring at a screen themselves, lol.

I mean, if screens are so awful and lead to such bad socialisation skills, surely all the people posting on here complaining are just being massive hypocrites?

It's also really sad that local primary schools have signs up on the gates and in the playgrounds, asking parents to put their phones away to greet their kids.

However, I've mentioned that on here in the past only for people to chime in with 'But what about if they're on an important business call?' 🙄

According to statistics, over half the residents in this borough of working age, are unemployed so it's doubtful.