When my father was a child, life was simple yet demanding. He helped on the family farm, where every pair of hands was needed. Entertainment was improvised—children played with sticks and rocks, and imagination was their most incredible toy. News from the outside world was scarce, trickling in through word of mouth or the occasional newspaper. Education was localized, often in one-room schoolhouses where a single teacher taught multiple grades. For those who sought further education, high school was a distant prospect, sometimes requiring them to leave home and live with relatives or in boarding situations.
Thirty years later, the world had already changed significantly. Television made its way into homes, a remarkable invention that brought moving pictures and voices into living rooms. Though only a few channels were available over the air, these stations delivered something new: a window to the world. Families could now watch the evening news together, witnessing the far-reaching effects of wars and conflicts in real-time. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, and for the first time, the threat of global annihilation was broadcast directly into homes. People began to see and understand the vast differences between countries, ideologies, and ways of life.
Another two decades passed, and the rise of cable television further transformed society. The number of channels exploded, offering more news, entertainment, and perspectives than ever before. Children still played outside, gathering with friends on the block for games and adventures. Schools had grown larger, and teachers increasingly incorporated current events into their lessons, ensuring students were aware of the world beyond their hometowns. Parents had access to news from multiple countries at home, expanding their understanding of global issues. The world was opening up, with it, the possibilities for connection and communication.
During this time, childhood remained largely safe and unburdened by the complexities of adult life. A child could ride their bicycle down the street without fear, and parents allowed their kids to roam free, knowing they would return home for lunch or dinner. Families often owned just one car, a prized possession, but as prosperity grew, so did the number of vehicles in each household. It wasn’t uncommon for every driving member of a family to have their own car, sometimes even extra vehicles for special occasions. The pace of life quickened, and with it came a sense of both excitement and unease.
Then came the dawn of the internet, a technological revolution that would reshape society in ways unimaginable just a generation earlier. The internet became the primary source of news, information, and entertainment. Television, once the centrepiece of family life, was replaced by personal and portable screens. Video games and digital media became the new babysitters, keeping children occupied for hours. Online chatting, once an innocent pastime, evolved into something darker. Cyberbullying became rampant, contributing to a rise in mental health issues among young people. Depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses surged, leading to an alarming increase in suicide rates.
The internet also brought with it a new kind of social interaction—one that was often superficial and toxic. Parents and children alike became cliquey, forming insular groups hostile to outsiders. Misinformation spread like wildfire as people twisted facts to fit their ideologies. The art of debate gave way to ad hominem attacks, where the person was targeted rather than their ideas. This era gave birth to the “keyboard warrior,” individuals who hid behind their screens, lashing out with words they would never dare to speak in person.
Now, we live in a world shaped by the consequences of these changes. The last generation of children has inherited a society fraught with division and anger. The political landscape is polarized, with conservatives and socialists locked in a bitter power struggle. The gap between the haves and the have-nots has widened, fueling resentment and unrest. Religion, once a private matter, now plays a contentious role in politics, influencing debates over issues like women’s rights, including the right to control their own bodies, and the ethics of Medical Assistance in Dying. Meanwhile, the effects of climate change—whether caused by human activity or natural cycles—loom large, threatening the very future of our planet.
Looking forward, the prospects for the next generation are grim if the trends of the past continue unchecked. The progression from simplicity to complexity, community to isolation, and understanding to misinformation suggests that we may be heading toward a breaking point. Some believe that “The Great Reset” is inevitable—a dramatic event that will force society to rebuild from the ground up. Will it be a new ice age, an epidemic deadlier than COVID-19, or something entirely unforeseen? While the idea of a zombie apocalypse may seem far-fetched, the underlying fear is genuine: that the earth, in its quest for balance, will one day reset itself, wiping out much of humanity in the process.
Yet, even in the face of such uncertainty, there is hope. The challenges we face are daunting but also present opportunities for growth, innovation, and renewal. It is up to us to decide whether we will continue down the path of division and destruction or find a way to come together, heal the wounds of the past, and build a sustainable, just, and compassionate future. The world may be different, but it is still ours to shape.