I came across an
interesting article in the Daily Telegraph about the rise of “internet
addiction”. We often hear from older
generations about how being a kid today is so different than it was in a time
past. Kids have mobile digital devices
wherever they go and some seem to think that screen time has supplanted the critical
physical and social development skills that playing outside with the
neighborhood kids used to provide. Others
argue that digital devices have opened a world of possibilities in education,
access and reach. The truth probably
lies somewhere in the middle.
In the meantime, to combat
the rise in increased screen time, Japan’s Ministry of Education is introducing
“fasting camps” to help “children overcome their addiction to the online world”. The Ministry estimates that 500,000 of
Japanese children (Ages 12-18) are addicted to the internet and to reduce this
figure, children will attend the camps to re-learn the basics of outdoor
activities and team sports. The camp
will also provide psychotherapists to help ease the emotional burden of
disconnecting.
While the “fasting camps” may
marginally reduce “addiction” rates, is it really possible to turn back the
clock on the digital revolution?
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