Who is raising children today: parents, environment or technology?

Rainbow Sahitaj

In a world where information is faster and influences are more numerous, who really has the power over our children's lives? Is it the love and support of parents that determines the direction of their lives, or is the influence of environment and technology writing the new history of adolescence?

The latest British series, adolescence [Adolescence], has raised an important debate on the impact that family, environment and technology have on the growth of children and their formation as individuals.

One of the key questions that arises in this context is the quality of education and the role of institutions in the formation of young people.

Education in many countries is facing major challenges, including a shortage of qualified professionals and a system that is often unable to keep up with the pace of rapid societal change. The state and authorities have a major responsibility in this area, while their failure to improve educational conditions contributes to the low level of preparation of young people for life's challenges.

For example, recent studies show that many schools lack qualified teachers and the resources to provide quality education, creating a large gap between students’ needs and the opportunities offered. Children often find more support and guidance in other ways, leaving parents and the environment as the last factors that help their formation. As shown by the UNESCO report (2020), many countries are facing a shortage of qualified teachers and education systems that are not in line with social and technological developments.

One of the aspects that adolescence deals in depth with the impact of technology on young people's lives. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and other social networks have become the main channels for teenagers to interact, form opinions and create connections. But what is behind the screen?

The virtual environment has many dark sides that can have harmful effects, such as the cultivation of extreme ideologies and the increase in online bullying. Technology, which for many is a tool of endless possibilities, can turn into a weapon that shapes a dangerous world for adolescents, where parents and schools are often unable to control it. Recent statistics show that more than 60 percent of young people feel exposed to negative content on social networks, including bullying and the spread of harmful ideas (Common Sense Media, 2021). This impact can have long-term consequences for children's mental health and emotional development.

Another major debate that arises in the series is that of the influence of nature (genetics) and the influence of environment (nurture). What has more influence on a child's development: is it genetics that determine their personality and behavior, or is it environment and upbringing that shape their character and decisions?

The series explores how external influences, including those of parents, society, and culture, can have profound consequences, especially when they are accompanied by a loss of self-esteem and feelings of isolation. In this context, it is clear that the environment, including parental influence and technology, has a tremendous impact. Every factor that affects a child's life forms an important part of their development and helps build character.

To address the impact of these factors, it is necessary for all those involved in young people’s lives – parents, teachers and state institutions – to become more engaged and understand that external influences are often much stronger than they may seem. Young people need greater support, an education system that helps them form healthy values ​​and an environment that protects them from the negative impacts of technology.

TV Shows adolescence It is a call to all: we must listen and act before it is too late. Only in this way can we create a society that supports the healthy development of the younger generations and protects them from the dangers that surround them.