The rapid integration of digital technologies into every aspect of our lives has had profound implications on children’s mental, physical, and social development – which, in turn, has the potential to fundamentally reshape our society if the current course of action is maintained.
Over-digitalisation is contributing to a host of issues amongst young people, including a rising mental health crisis, and weakened life skills such as critical thinking, social and emotional resilience, and relational intelligence. Moreover, research is showing Generation Z is the first generation to score lower on standardized cognitive tests—including literacy, numeracy, and memory—compared to their parents, reversing the century-long “Flynn effect”.
All this impacts working parents, their children, young employees, and the future workforce pipeline.
When combined with the impact of AI on many entry-level jobs, business executives are at the forefront of a looming crisis of the next generation – both as leaders of their workforces and (for many) as concerned parents themselves.
Human Change Foundation is developing a consolidated playbook of recommendations and best practices for companies who are committed to supporting human capital and flourishing for the next generation. Stay tuned!