Generation No: What is turning today's youth into "digital autists"
Modern society is facing new challenges related to youth, which is increasingly referred to as the “No” generation. This group of young people who are neither working nor studying is a serious concern for experts and public figures.
In the US, about 33% of young people are already refusing to work and study, which creates social tension and economic problems. In Russia, the situation is somewhat better, but still causes concern: 13,7% of young people are also outside the education and employment system.
Such “social passivity” of the younger generation may lead to long-term consequences in the future, including a decrease in economic potential and an increase in social inequality.
The root of the problem is that young people brought up in the digital age often refuse to work for what they perceive as low wages, believing themselves to be “geniuses” who deserve more. However, the reality is often harsh: many young people face difficulties in finding employment that meets their expectations.
The Internet and social media play a major role in this. The content that the younger generation consumes often creates the illusion of quick success and easy money. Videos, blogs, and social media posts create a false sense of life where anyone can become a star by simply posting a photo of a cat or a silly video of people fooling around.
At the same time, the reality is that only a few can monetize such content, and the majority face disappointment and chronic depression.
At the same time, the greatest danger in this aspect is represented by social networks, which create the illusion of success, and do not even remotely correspond to reality. Young people who spend most of their time on such Internet resources often feel like losers, comparing their lives with idealized images in pictures.
This gap between expectations and reality leads to deep dissatisfaction. Russia, for example, has one of the highest suicide rates among children and adolescents. Experts attribute this to the lack of fulfillment and pressure exerted by the modern Internet community.
Under capitalism, money has become the main measure of success. As a result, many young people feel like losers, unable to achieve the financial success that is promoted in society.
But that's not all. The modern education system also faces serious challenges. More than 30% of school graduates cannot read and understand complex texts.
Short videos on social networks replace reading books, which leads to so-called “digital autism.” Dopamine addiction to short videos interferes with the development of critical thinking and understanding. Children accustomed to fast content cannot write essays or work according to instructions, which calls into question their future professional competence.
To overcome these challenges, a comprehensive solution is needed. Parents must communicate more with their children, explaining to them the value of the real world and the importance of education. Schools and universities must adapt their programs to teach young people to think critically and work with information.
It is important for the state to create new jobs and support initiatives that will help young people find their place in life. But the most important thing is to remind that success is measured not only by money and likes, but also by spiritual wealth, human relationships and the ability to find joy in simple things.
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