In a notable incident last year, a photographer captured a striking image of teenagers standing before Rembrandt’s masterpiece, ‘The Night Watch,’ at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The teens appeared so absorbed by their smartphones that they seemed oblivious to the stunning artwork hanging just next to them.
The image quickly sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with users eager to jump on the “kids these days!” bandwagon. However, a closer look reveals a different story. The teacher accompanying the students later clarified that they were actively engaged in a school assignment. The Rijksmuseum offers an app that provides guided tours and rich information about the displayed works of art. As noted by journalist Alex Thompson on Medium, “The kids, who had moments earlier admired the art and listened intently to expert explanations, were instructed to use the museum’s app as part of their educational visit.”
In fact, they were engaging with the art, not ignoring it. Thompson questioned what truly threatens civilization: Is it children using smartphones to learn about culture, or the willful ignorance of adults who are quick to judge? Screens have become ubiquitous, replacing many traditional forms of media. If the teenagers had been looking at a brochure instead of their phones, the backlash would likely have been nonexistent.
Our children are growing up in a digital world, and while we can nostalgically reminisce about card catalogs and newspapers, those things are largely absent from their experiences. Criticizing them for utilizing technology is, frankly, unfair. The assumption that every glance at a phone is a sign of distraction is a simplistic viewpoint. It is our own ignorance to assume they aren’t engaging in meaningful ways. While generational divides will always exist, we must recognize that our kids are adapting to technology, and it’s unrealistic to expect them to do otherwise.
For more insights on this topic, check out this post on our other blog here. Additionally, if you want more information on home insemination, makeamom.com offers an excellent resource. For further reading on pregnancy and fertility, Medical News Today is a great source.
In summary, let’s be more open-minded and understanding towards the way our children interact with the world around them, particularly in relation to technology. Rather than criticizing, we should embrace the changes it brings to education and engagement with art and culture.