If you follow TikTok closely, you’ve probably seen videos of teachers complaining about today’s young students. There’s arguments over reliance on technology, lower reading comprehension, and more. Not to mention school shootings — it takes a toll on the education system. One New Mexico woman thinks she has it all figured out. She talks about why child education is at an all-time low and why kids aren’t retaining information like they used to. And when you take what she says into consideration, she might be onto something.
TikToker Lightfromalamp pointed to today’s students not knowing how to write and “have no social skills,” but why? According to Lamp, this is happening “because the Hot Cheeto girls became parents first,” as did the boys sitting at the back of the classroom, “drawing on their desk, just making jokes 24/7.” As she says, the “worst people you went to school with” started having children and that’s where the problem began. That’s more or less the plot of Idiocracy.
Now, since their parents kicked rocks when they were in school, their kids aren’t getting as good of a head start. Lamp argues it “starts at home” when it comes to children, presumably before they go to school. She said children come home and they’re immediately given an iPad to scroll mindlessly on social media. They aren’t taking time to read anymore. Their parents aren’t “checking in on their child.”
She continues with teachers being “exhausted” and parents needing to do more. That’s how you set your children up for success in all aspects of life. What doesn’t help is so many Americans are working two jobs just to pay the bills. Parents aren’t given enough time to even enjoy their kids.
One commenter shared, “I’m concerned we’re going to end up with two ‘classes’ of people, the ones who were raised in screens and the ones who were restricted. And it seems statistically likely that parents with more money and free time are going to be the ones restricting screens, so the divide is going to be massive.”
Another person truthfully pointed out, “I would also blame cost of living and the environment,” instead of totally on the parents. They go on to say, “Parents are exhausted having to work at least 2 full time jobs having to carry a household, and the value of their money has gone down.”
It’s a sad state and too true for so many families. If we had more time together, we’d probably see fewer of these issues in the classroom. And having access to affordable daycare and better wages would be incredibly helpful, and a step in the right direction. For now, read to your kids, manage their time on the Internet, and keep them engaged, even after their schooling!
