Teens photographed in front of a masterpiece receive backlash on social media
Last year, a photographer shared an image of a group of teenagers standing in front of Rembrandt’s renowned painting, ‘The Night Watch,’ at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The teens appeared so engrossed in their phones that they seemed oblivious to the stunning artwork right beside them.
Social media users quickly joined in on the “kids today!” chorus. A picture often conveys a thousand words, but what if all those words miss the mark? A teacher later clarified that the students were actually using their phones for a school assignment relevant to their visit. “It turns out that the Rijksmuseum has an app that offers guided tours and additional information about the exhibits,” writes James Parker on Medium. “During their museum visit, the students, who had just moments earlier appreciated the art and listened to expert explanations, were tasked with completing an assignment utilizing the museum’s excellent smartphone app.”
Engagement with Art
Here’s the reality: the kids were engaged with the art. Parker poses the question, “What’s more likely to jeopardize civilization: children using smartphones to learn about art or the willful ignorance of adults who rush to judgment?” Screens are now ubiquitous, having replaced many traditional forms of media. Had this photo shown children studying a museum brochure, it likely would not have drawn such harsh criticism. Our youngsters are growing up immersed in technology—it’s simply the world they inhabit. While we may long for the days of card catalogs, books, and newspapers, the digital tools we now have give our kids instant access to information. We romanticize those old forms of distraction because of nostalgia, but our kids never formed attachments to them; they have their own distractions that work in much the same way.
Cutting the Kids Some Slack
Let’s cut the kids some slack. The assumption that whenever a child looks down at their phone they’re playing a game or snapping selfies is a lazy stereotype. It’s “willful ignorance” on our part to think they aren’t engaging in meaningful ways. While there will always be generational differences, we should step down from our high horses and recognize that our kids are adapting to technology. Expecting anything else is somewhat naive, and criticizing them for being connected is unjust.
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Summary
A viral photo of teens seemingly distracted by their phones in front of a famous painting sparked criticism on social media. However, the students were actually using their devices for a museum assignment, highlighting the need for adults to understand how technology is integrated into the lives of younger generations. We should refrain from jumping to conclusions about kids’ engagement with technology and recognize their evolving relationship with it.