No parties, just screens

When I turned 18 my grandma gave me money for a party. I hired a hall, a DJ and invited most of the year group. I got all dressed up and as far as I remember it was a good night.

This tells you a number of things; firstly I was an organiser even at that age and secondly, that I like being with people.

Son, on the other hand, spent a lot of his birthday weekend scrolling and gaming with his brother. They were in the same room and would banter back and forth, but definitely there was not getting dressed up and inviting a load of mates around.

I had a handle on screen times with the boys until the pandemic and then, the government call for online learning infiltrated our home. I didn’t take it very seriously, I’m a teacher so knew how poor the provision was and how bad screen time can be, but the truth is, that time changed things.

No longer did the boys go out to the pitch to hang out with friends, instead they game, online with people who live just around the corner. I don’t get it and also sort of get it, but it makes me sad that they aren’t out in the weather with skin and bone connecting.

It worries me not only for their long term social skills and mental health, but also for the web of life because how can you care for and look after rivers, soil and air if you are not in relationship to it. We care about what we care about and as my son leaves home, I really hope that what he finds in this next phase, is real connections to people and planet, not just some 2D shiny world.