Digitalisation Is Unstoppable: The Driving Force Behind the Informed Perspective
Inform Your Perspectives, Balance Your Connections!
In September, The Informed Perspective was born out of growing concerns about the mental health of children, particularly regarding their increased screen time. As mothers, Jennie and I had both noticed the strong pull that screens had on our own children. After reading Haidt’s Anxious Generation, we were struck by evidence suggesting that children today are more troubled, less able to process emotions, less independent, and more isolated than ever before. This sparked the creation of The Balanced Screen Hub, inspired by the Smartphone Free Childhood movement in the UK. We were deeply interested in the debate around smartphones in schools, the excessive time children were spending online, the lack of community involvement, and the reduction in offline social interaction.
However, feedback from our Balanced Screen Hub community quickly revealed a more complex issue: it wasn’t just about children being addicted to screens. Parents admitted they too struggled with regulating their own screen use,which often contributed to their children's online behavior. As we began to develop content for The Informed Perspective, it became clear that digitalisation is intertwined with virtually every subject we explore. Whether we are talking about health, relationships, work, or leisure, the digital world is always a factor. It was a sobering realisation, though obvious in hindsight, that it’s nearly impossible to discuss any modern issue without addressing digitalisation.
A World Changed by Digitalisation
Life today cannot return to the way it was before the digital age, just as we cannot turn back the clock to a pre-industrial world. Digitalisation is woven into nearly every aspect of modern life—advertising, client communication, marketing, invoicing, tax payments, branding, and beyond. The digital landscape is essential. Banking has largely moved online, requiring apps and phones to verify our identities, process payments, and handle transactions. To find better prices, we turn to the internet for price comparisons and download apps for discounts. Shopping is increasingly done online, and many physical stores are closing due to a shift in demand.
Schools now communicate with parents through email and apps, and textbooks are digital. Children complete assignments on devices instead of using pens, and they rely on the internet for research. Most of us no longer have landline phones, so our mobile devices have become indispensable. We live in a world of constant connectivity, where communication is primarily through text messages and social media. With the rise of "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO), many people feel the need to stay online.
The internet has also revolutionized everyday activities: dating, finding houses, booking vacations, purchasing medicine, checking the weather and air quality, and even reading news. Physical newspapers and magazines are rare, as most people get their news online. Books are increasingly read digitally, and whatever hobby or interest we pursue—whether it's skateboarding, cooking, athletics, sewing, or even bungee jumping—there are countless resources, tutorials, and videos available online. With the advent of 3D printers, we can now create almost anything, allows us to create almost anything, without a licence, for better or worse.
The Informed Perspective: A Balanced Approach
The more we reflected on these realities, the clearer our mission became. While issues like banning smartphones in schools and protecting children from harmful content online are crucial, the reality is that digitalisation isn’t going anywhere. We are too deeply entrenched in it. The challenge now is not to resist or avoid digitalisation, but to become informed about what these tools are, how we use them and their impact on our health.
At The Informed Perspective, we don’t claim to have all the answers—there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, we aim to encourage thoughtfulness.
Our mission is to promote balance: while digitalisation offers many benefits, we believe that it’s essential to ensure that we’re also nurturing offline, real-world connections. By increasing these opportunities for in-person interaction, we hope to reduce the overwhelming pull of digital devices.
This doesn't mean demonising digitalisation. It has undoubtedly brought many advancements and conveniences into our lives. However, we must continue improving its regulation and make sure that everyone is aware of its potential harms.
Freedom of choice only holds value if we understand the choices we’re making.
This concern extends to META’s recent decision regarding fact-checking. If people are not fully informed, they may act out of necessity, coercion, or ignorance, rather than choice—a dangerous situation.
The Impact of Digitalisation on Social Skills and Mental Health
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has highlighted loneliness as a major public health issue, with one in two Americans reporting feelings of loneliness.[1] Shockingly, young adults aged 18 to 24 are twice as likely to experience loneliness compared to older adults over the age of 66.[2] Loneliness is associated with a range of serious health problems, including increased substance use, neurological disorders, and issues related to weight and sleep. [3] A recent study of 42,062 participants identified specific protein biomarkers linked to inflammation, mortality, and stroke, particularly among those who are socially isolated and lonely. [4] This isolation creates a harmful cycle, intensifying the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) online and giving the illusion of connection. Ironically, this virtual "connection" can decrease real-world interactions, worsening feelings of loneliness over time. [5] Research shows that young people who maintain strong in-person friendships are better at regulating their emotions, are less susceptible to FOMO, and tend to have healthier device habits, especially when it comes to social media use.
One of the most troubling effects of digitalisation is its impact on social interaction. While online communication—whether through text or social media—offers convenience, it fails to capture the full range of human emotions. In contrast, real-world interactions help children build resilience and emotional intelligence. Social media, in particular, often promotes an idealized version of success and self-worth based on material gain or physical appearance. This creates a culture of isolation, where individuals are praised for their intelligence or looks, while authentic relationships and emotional development take a backseat.
Offline interactions are essential for developing critical life skills: handling criticism, dealing with setbacks, and learning how to engage in meaningful face-to-face conversations. It is undoubtably harder at times because you cannot just block someone if you disagree with them! But this is the real deal. This is what real is all about, learning to develop these skills and a thicker skin. We are not always going to hear what we want to hear. But it will enable you to meet new people and to enjoy physical contact at times such as a pat on the back or a hug, something that the digital world can never provide. Time spent online, especially for children, eats away at opportunities to develop skills in sports, creative activities, and socializing. What could be spent hiking, playing games, or learning new hobbies is instead consumed by endless scrolling. This erodes essential life skills that will serve children well in the future.
Rebuilding Values and Community Engagement
While digitalisation is a significant part of life, the deeper issue may be a loss of shared values. Today’s media frequently showcases powerful individuals who engage in unethical behavior. Criminals, frauds and bullies with no etiquette who send confusing messages to children about what’s right and wrong. As parents, we instil values like kindness, integrity, and respect in our children. However, these teachings are not always reinforced in the wider world, especially with the decline of traditional institutions, such as the church. Schools often avoid religious instruction entirely. Its not the teaching of a specific religion that matters but the importance of the values of good and bad. The lack of clear moral guidance can make it harder for children to navigate the complexities of life in an increasingly digital society. With unregulated AI bots being released on platforms so that they appear to be real users how on earth will be able to differentiate between what is real and what is not? The challenge of managing AI is only going to get bigger and offer us plenty of new experiences but we need to safeguard ourselves against this. We need to talk to other people, we need to voice our concerns and make sure that we do not accept our lives being manipulated without our consent. This has already started and is quite frightening. What does it mean once AI has extracted all the information it needs from us? We may see the whole disappearance of schools in the real world replaced by online schools, possibly with lessons taught by bots! This might sound laughable, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. Is this the future we want for our kids and future generations?
Expatriate and third-culture children face unique challenges. Moving frequently—often to countries with different languages and cultures—can isolate them from local communities. Many expat children attend international schools which aren’t necessarily a true representation of the real world, further distancing them from local networks and opportunities. This can make it harder for them to engage with their community, build relationships, or develop a sense of responsibility.
Take, for example, our experience in Poland, where we’ve lived for 2.5 years. Despite this, we have yet to get to know anyone by name on our street. Our son, at 16, struggles to find a job beyond babysitting because of language barriers. And while it’s true that laws in many countries make it difficult for teenagers to find work before the age of 17 or 18, this lack of responsibility in the wider community often leads to a sense of disengagement.
Compulsory Community Engagement for Teens: A Way Forward
We believe that children should have more opportunities to engage with their communities, whether through volunteer work or other forms of social responsibility. Teaching children the value of contributing to the common goodnot only builds self-confidence but also promotes a sense of belonging and purpose. Engaging in activities like helping in local parks, assisting at charities, or working with the elderly and people with disabilities can teach invaluable life lessons.
In the current global climate, where many countries are reconsidering compulsory military service due to increasing security concerns, there’s an opportunity to view this not as a negative, but as a positive form of development. Military service can teach discipline, responsibility, leadership skills and teamwork—skills that are essential for personal growth. For those who choose not to participate in military roles, other forms of community service, such as social work, could be an equally valuable experience.
What are your thoughts on mandatory community involvement for teenagers?
Some possibilities could include programs like cadet training or volunteering in settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, charities, and other community-focused initiatives.
Giving Children More Freedom and Opportunities
Jonathan Haidt, in his work, advocates for giving children more autonomy—encouraging them to navigate the world without constant parental supervision, to make their own decisions, and to experience risks. While as parents, we may not be ready to embrace full independence for our children, we can start small by providing more safe spaces for them to socialize and develop outside the home.
By fostering opportunities for in-person interactions and community engagement, we can help our children build confidence, resilience, and autonomy—all while maintaining a healthy balance between their online and offline worlds.
Digitalisation has transformed our world in ways that are both exciting and challenging. While we cannot reverse the tide of technological progress, we can make conscious choices to maintain a balance between our digital lives and our real-world connections. At The Informed Perspective, we are dedicated to promoting face-to-face interactions and community engagement. The more we invest in offline opportunities, the more we help our children develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and a healthy relationship with technology.
References:
[1] https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
[2] https://newsroom.thecignagroup.com/loneliness-epidemic-persists-post-pandemic-look
[3] https://www.fammed.wisc.edu/files/webfm-uploads/documents/research/wren/wren-loneliness-slides-10-24-24.pdf
[4] Shen, C., Zhang, R., Yu, J. et al. Plasma proteomic signatures of social isolation and loneliness associated with morbidity and mortality. Nat Hum Behav (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02078-1
[5] Koçyiğit, B & Türk, F. (2025). The relationship between fear of missing out and loneliness among adolescents in the digital age: The mediating roles of emotion dysregulation and social media addiction.Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology,13(1),19-36.
Images courtesy of Freepix.
