The late Whitney Houston may have been well ahead of her time when she said, “children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.”
We’ve come a long way from the old-fashioned belief that children should be seen and not heard. Kids of all ages are leading the charge these days and it’s time we paid more attention.
Last week, students from Esquimalt High qualified for the FIRST Robotics World Championship after using design, coding and engineering skills to build a 120-lb. robot able to complete tasks.
What were you doing in Grade 11?
On Saturday, the Youth Political Commons, a group of local high school students dedicated to getting youth more engaged in politics, will spearhead the Victoria March For Our Lives. Standing in solidarity with students and others impacted by gun violence worldwide, it is our very own youth who will lead the crowd to the legislature to join the chorus saying #NeverAgain.
We often focus on the negative impacts technology has had on our children and youth – not enough human interaction, too much time spent on screens, cyberbullying, the list goes on.
But, what about the changes technology has provided that have enabled this generation to communicate across borders for the greater good? Or to challenge themselves scientifically, reminding us technology doesn’t just exist on smartphones?
This generation has grown up faster, yes. But they’ve also grown up better informed, better equipped and more prepared for a world that most days, terrifies a lot of us.
No one can argue the fact that youth are playing a larger and more significant role in society, even driving social change and in some cases, policy.
Instead of scoffing at the next teen you see with their head buried in a device, take a minute to consider what it is they’re doing in there. They could be designing the next wave of artificial intelligence, or organizing a mass protest to stand in the face of a generation that has long lost touch with the future.
