The digital age presents unique challenges and opportunities for today’s youth. While technology offers unprecedented access to information and social connections, it also brings issues like excessive screen time, reduced physical activity, and mental health concerns. Developing leadership skills, resilience, and mental well-being is essential for youths to thrive in this environment.
Youths and Technology
Adults often criticize the excessive screen time of today’s youths, worried about its impact on their development and well-being. However, technology is an integral part of their lives, used for education, socializing, and entertainment. Parents are to teach youths to set goals, be intentional with their time and good time management skills. Since the digital engagement of youths is unavoidable, the focus should shift from restriction to guidance.
Parental Support
Parents require structured guidance to help their children navigate the digital landscape effectively and healthily. We cannot parent the way we were parented. Previous generations engaged in creative play, developing games and activities from their imagination and available resources. This meant that in the past youths had more opportunities for unsupervised social interactions, which helped develop their social skills and communication abilities. Parents need to help them build the critical skills to navigate social media, help them negotiate with themselves and set boundaries.
Building Mental Resilience
Youths need help to develop mental resilience to help them handle conflicts. They have fewer opportunities to build those skills through sibling squabbles and neighbourhood interactions as those in the past generations did. This means that they have less ability to manage disagreements and build mental resilience. We also have more two children and one child in a family than in past generations, so youths are more isolated.
Sheltered Youths
Modern youths are more sheltered and, as a result, often mentally and emotionally fragile. They are protected from many real-world challenges, making it difficult for them to develop resilience. Many young people struggle with resilience in professional settings and may become overwhelmed at the first sign of difficulty.
They lack critical thinking skills because of strong reliance on online information which hinders their development of critical thinking skills. They must be guided to question and analyze information critically.
Anxiety From an Oversharing Culture
Because they were raised in an oversharing culture where the belief that every life detail must be shared online, can negatively affect self-esteem and decision-making, making youths more susceptible to peer pressure and validation-seeking. This raises their anxiety and increases incidents of self harm and depression.
Youth Leadership and Mental Well-being Curriculum
The curriculum provides parents with the tools and strategies to equip their children with essential wellness competencies, ensuring they can support their child's mental and emotional development. This program focuses on nurturing self-leadership and mental well-being in youths, helping them develop a strong sense of self and emotional intelligence.
The curriculum offers a comprehensive roadmap for supporting youths in developing mental resilience and coping strategies to handle life's challenges, as well as the interpersonal skills that are now viewed as wellness competencies essential for overall health and happiness, emphasizing the importance of effective communication and relationship-building.
These skills and abilities are necessary to interact effectively in schools and relationships and significantly influences mental health and well-being. Strong interpersonal skills can lead to better academic performance, career success, and fulfilling relationships. Youths with strong interpersonal skills and resilience are more likely to experience overall happiness and well-being, as they can navigate life's ups and downs more effectively.
Leadership skills, resilience, and mental well-being are crucial for youths to navigate and succeed in the digital age. By providing structured support and guidance, we can help them develop these essential skills, ensuring they are prepared to face the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. Parents are encouraged to attend the open house and explore the curriculum to support their children's growth and well-being.
Things to Ponder
Do you have a youth or young adult who needs support in these areas? Do you as a parent have the tools to help them?
Action Steps
Open House Details:
To provide parents with insights into the Youth Leadership and Mental Well-being Curriculum, an open house event is scheduled.
- Date: Thursday July 18th, 2024
- Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Location: Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc., 845 Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg
This event will offer parents a comprehensive overview of the curriculum and demonstrate how it can support their children's development. It's an opportunity for parents to get involved and learn about future mastermind sessions aimed at bridging the gap between traditional upbringing and the modern digital age.
