Whether we like it or not, the entertainment, sorry, the diversion offered to our tired eyes is permanent. We’ve never had so many reasons to entertain ourselves with boredom. Social networks and video content platforms – Netflix, Disney +, Prime Video, etc – trap us in bottomless pits from which it is very difficult to extricate ourselves.
We no longer choose our content, we endure it. We are not looking for a film that we would like to see, we rather say to ourselves, faced with personalized algorithms: “oh yes, why not”.
The content’s quality varies greatly, but what they have in common is that they are as quickly forgotten as they are consumed. The series offered by video content platforms are binged-watched in a few days and are forgotten even faster – I challenge you to remember every twist and turn of “Squid Game” or “Euphoria” (even if they are great series).
Because with fast fashion comes the reign of fast content. It’s often expeditious, it’s often average, it’s often disposable, it’s often forgettable.
And unfortunately it is often emptiness and boredom that lead us to Instagram reels or extended series that could have lasted an hour and a half – and it is often emptiness and boredom that invade us once the content has been consumed.
(Because we are talking about consumption, let’s be honest).
When you’re 49 years old, when you grew up without screens, when you know it and you discipline yourself, it’s not a big deal. But when you are 49 years old and you are the parent of young teenagers born with a screen instead of a rattle, it can quickly become problematic.
Screens, this modern plague of the 21st century, have become the constant challenge facing today’s parents.
What to do ?
Give the example. A teenager will not do what he is told to do, but will do what the parents do. Parents stuck to a phone will have no chance of seeing their teenager adopt a healthy relationship with the digital world and their own phone. Therefore, do not start your day with your phone in hand as soon as you wake up.
Limit daily screen time – your own and that of others – even if it means installing applications that no longer allow access to certain applications after a certain time.
Only allow certain applications or certain types of content – and avoid social networks. Direct attention towards films or series that can be the subject of family discussions later.
Force your teenager to be bored. So that they find other types of stimuli for themselves. One of the risks of forcing your teenager to get rid of the screen is to unwittingly become yourself an alternative source of entertainment which must propose a museum, a family game, an activity instead of digital content.
Go out, get some fresh air, without any particular goal. Do not seek stimuli, welcome silence, emptiness (even if emptiness does not exist) because emptiness leads to other things.
Explain, always explain the risks, the ins and outs of the digital world so that the future adults we raise become aware of the problem for themselves.
It’s a daily struggle. It lasts and it is grueling. But it is worth doing.
Louis Vuitton top and tote bag – Tara Jarmon skirt – Dior loafers – Marni coat
December 1, 2023
