A Generation Growing in the Shadow of Technology: Lost Street Games and Productivity

I came across a post on social media where a kindergarten teacher said, “Children are so far behind compared to those from 10 years ago. They have no ability to create games; if I don’t create one for them, they just sit and stare or cry out of boredom. The only skill they have learned is watching.”

Not being able to create games today means not being able to create jobs, relationships, or productivity tomorrow. We can clearly observe the negative impacts of technology on the new generation, just as much as its benefits. Nowadays, children who do not even know how to kick a ball, who struggle with group activities and communication with their peers, or who have very diminished physical skills (such as drawing, placing shapes, or doing tasks in the garden or cooking) compared to older generations. This is because they do not use these tools in their daily lives; they just lie on the couch playing games on their phones or iPads.

The increase in eye problems, social isolation, obesity, laziness, and difficulties in communication and relationship building are all due to being trapped in this isolated and virtual life. The pandemic period, which we experienced for a few years and confined us to our homes, has also played a significant role. Children went through a very critical period for identity development, ages 0–6, at home with only their caregivers or a few adult family members, without enough interaction with their peers.

We now live in a world where everything is quickly asked on Google or ChatGPT, and solutions are reached without much thought. We have lost the situation that many talented writers, artists, or thinkers valued greatly and were grateful for: BOREDOM.

The most complained-about situation by today’s parents is actually a problem caused by themselves. That is, not allowing their children to get bored, constantly taking them from one course to another, or always handing them an iPad that opens a new, entertaining page. The concept of dopamine detox becomes a necessary need because our constantly stimulated, pleasure-seeking brains get used to it and become addicted.

Colorful and varied foods, unlimited information, music, games, and perhaps dozens of potential candidates on dating apps make us consumption maniacs and subsequently drunk. Especially children born into this never learn to wait, be patient, or get bored. They have a brain accustomed to stimulation that thinks it’s abnormal and problematic when they stop and start getting bored.

Are your friends around you complaining about not being able to read books during long hours or watch a movie without interruption like they used to? Guess what the reason is for this :)

I recently read news about Elon Musk. They provided phones and internet to a primitive tribe that previously had no electricity or internet and observed the changes in the people’s lives. With the use and habit of the internet, it was found that especially men became lazier and more perverted.

Men who were constantly active, running, walking, fighting, hunting, and repairing things were now seen lying on the grass or rocks for hours with their phones, their movements significantly reduced. It was observed that they mostly accessed pornographic sites, watched such images and videos, and then shared them in common chat groups. The most interesting part is that in this village, even cheek-to-cheek kissing was considered shameful and forbidden, and such obscene topics were never discussed.

Similarly, the increasing scarcity and problems of natural resources, the issue of not being able to access tasty food and nourishment, the daily decrease in water resources, and the extinction of animal and plant species are evident consequences of the climate crisis and overpopulation.

We can say that the world is expressing its rebellion against excessive population and consumption madness, along with environmental damage and insufficient resources, through pandemics caused by viruses, the unemployment issue protested by the Y-Z generation worldwide, and burning wars. Currently, the right-wing parties winning elections in Europe, the crisis caused by immigrant problems in many countries, the Ukraine-Russia and Palestine-Israel wars; can we say that the Third World War is at the door? I don’t know, but I hope we can overcome this crisis with minimal damage and continue to grow in a more controlled and conscious way.

Similarly, the recent stray dog massacre issue in Turkey is another example of this. The cruel attempt to exterminate dogs that were left uncontrolled and not neutered, thus becoming unmanageable, without considering animal rights and humanity, is very inhumane. I wish necessary decisions could be made before the situation became uncontrollable.

Celebrities like Ed Sheeran also avoid using smartphones and return to nature, preferring real relationships and daily jobs over virtual friends and work, which might help us regain our lost skills. While we need to adapt to the era, we are also in a time when we are trying not to lose our mental and physical health, at risk of exhaustion, by trying to keep up with the speed and perfection of robots. I wish everyone the best of luck :)