Writer: Emma MacIssac
The COVID-19 Pandemic was a devastating event that created lasting impacts on our society. While some of its impacts are more obvious, as time passes our attention is drawn to the potential social side effects. As life returns to some semblance of normalcy the question stands: Have kids always been this mean?
The developmental impacts of isolation from the pandemic are unprecedented and at this time it is impossible to say exactly what they will be. For young kids who lost the opportunity to connect with their peers in school, their connection was forced to turn digital. While the internet has many wonderful qualities, it comes with its fair share of downsides. The anonymity the internet provides can often desensitize children to the effects of their actions. This is something that was commonly discussed during the rise of cyberbullying. It is much easier to say mean things behind a screen than in person. Now we find kids are meaner both online and in person. Is this a residual effect from the pandemic, or something deeper? How do we solve it?
I personally believe that although the pandemic had a huge impact on society socially, it is not entirely to blame for this phenomenon. What I have found in my personal experience is that the rise of animosity in youth is not due to a decrease in empathy, but rather an increase in apathy. In our current society, it is significantly easier to find bad news than it is to find good. Between the news, social media, politics and small talk, there is an overwhelming feeling of helplessness that impacts many young people. Issues such as war, climate change, women’s rights, and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals are at the forefront of many worldly discussions and can be very disheartening. No one likes to see our society failing to progress and many individuals, especially youth, want to do whatever they can to help move forward. This is a great trait to have and is very admirable. I also believe it is the root of the rise in apathy.
Kids want to help. They want to solve problems; they want things to get better. No one wants to live in a world where your future is constantly at stake. I have seen tremendous dedication from teenagers and younger children who want to create a better future. Protests, petitions, raising awareness and speaking out against discrimination are all common ways that individuals who are unable to vote express their beliefs and their desire for change. Yet no matter what they do, things never seem to get better. These efforts can often feel like one step forward, and two steps back. Systemic change is necessary for widespread improvement, and that is something that is impossible for a regular individual to achieve.
There is so much hurt and pain in the world, and so little that kids can actually do to stop it. So naturally, some of them begin to shut down. Their empathetic nature can fuel their apathy in order to achieve self-preservation and find a way to cope with the world they live in. It is unsustainable to allow yourself to be emotionally invested in every tragedy that presents itself without draining all of your emotional resources. This behaviour is shown not just in children, but adults as well. As is well known, children pick up on the behaviour of adults and model it within themselves.
The pandemic drew more attention to social media and made it the main form of socialization for many young individuals. Often the individuals who rise to be influencers on these platforms are young adults, typically ranging from 16+. Instead of modelling the behaviour of their classmates, children now model the behaviour they see displayed by adults. This drastically impacts their perception of the world and the way they respond to issues. Many individuals struggling with their emotions have misplaced anger and express their frustrations at the world by lashing out at someone else. If children see this displayed, they are more likely to copy this behaviour.
I don’t believe that we’re all doomed to be pessimists. I think the world can be a hard place to live in, and that the past few years have made way for a rise in intense emotions that both adults and children alike are unsure how to deal with. Although there is only so much we can do to make a change, we can alter how we respond to situations. Finding constructive ways to deal with our emotions instead of lashing out at others, therefore continuing the cycle of hurt. It reminds me of what I was always told as a child. “Treat other people the way you want to be treated.” It may sound cliché, but it’s a useful tool. If we want children to be nicer to each other, then we as adults have to model that behaviour for them. While the pandemic has had its impacts, we cannot place sole blame upon it. In the wise words of Ghandi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
