Author of the article: David Schult, PNI Atlantic Published Apr 05, 2025 • 3 minute readInstead of complaining about today’s youth, we have an opportunity to support this generation through unprecedented technological and social changes. Photo by Unsplash /UnsplashLazy, rude, self-obsessed, disrespectful. Each generation looks at the next with suspicion, convinced something is wrong. But are today’s youth worse or is this just the latest round of an age-old complaint?Consider this critique: “I see no hope for the future … if (we) are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words.”THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIt may sound like a modern lament, but this quote is attributed to Hesiod, a Greek poet from 8th century BC. Socrates bemoaned children who “love luxury,” have “bad manners,” and “show disrespect for elders”. Fast forward to 1274, and we find Peter the Hermit decrying young people who “think of nothing but themselves” and are “impatient of all restraint”.This pattern of intergenerational criticism persists throughout history. In 1624, Thomas Barnes lamented that “Youth were never more sawcie,” and in 1843, the Earl of Shaftesbury described children as “a fearful multitude of untutored savages”.Enduring perceptionSo why does this perception endure? Developmental science offers insights. Adolescent rebellion is a natural part of growing up, essential for developing autonomy and personal identity. The teenage brain is still maturing, leading to impulsivity and risk-taking behaviours. These are not signs of moral decay but crucial steps in becoming independent, critical-thinking adults.Article contentWhile youth behaviour has always been contentious, today’s generation faces unprecedented challenges. Kids today have access to supercomputers in their pockets. Jonathan Haidt’s book, “The Anxious Generation,” argues that this shift to smartphone-based childhoods has fundamentally altered child development.Haidt points to the early 2010s when social media and smartphones became ubiquitous among young people. Girls’ anxiety and depression have sharply increased, fueled by social media’s pressures. Boys withdraw into gaming and online worlds, affecting their academic and social growth.Haidt proposes several solutions, including delaying smartphone access, enforcing phone-free spaces, and reintroducing play-based childhoods with real-world risks and challenges. Schools, parents, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure children grow up in environments that foster resilience, and healthy risk-taking opportunities.Article contentAnnual general meetingThe Home and School Federation is tackling these tough topics head-on at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday, April 12. The event will feature debate on key resolutions, including increasing behaviour resource support in Island schools, supporting Canada’s Online Harms Act to protect children in digital spaces, and protecting student, parent, and teacher personal data.The keynote address by Carl H. Burke, R.N., promises to be particularly poignant. After losing his 17-year-old son Harry to sextortion in 2023, Carl has dedicated himself to educating children, families, and communities about the dangers lurking on social media platforms.The AGM will also offer workshops on critical issues such as artificial intelligence in education; gaming addictions; student behaviour intervention supports; and local issues on volunteers and communications, finances and school food programs.These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to understanding and addressing challenges faced by today’s youth. So while children may appear rude and rebellious, this generation faces new challenges that require innovative solutions. Instead of lamenting their behavior, we should focus on guiding them through a rapidly changing world.Article contentThe next time you hear complaints about “kids these days,” remember: this isn’t new. What is new is our opportunity to support this generation through unprecedented technological and social changes. The kids aren’t just alright – they’re remarkable, resilient, and full of potential. They just need our understanding and guidance.To attend the AGM, visit https://peihsf.ca, email peihsf@gov.pe.ca, or call 902-620-3186.David Schult, president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation, lives in Charlottetown with his wife and two children, who attend UPEI and Colonel Gray Senior High School.Article content
DAVID SCHULT: Each generation looks at the next with suspicion
