STATEMENTS OVERHEARD IN RINKS
“Kids today have it so easy.”
“Kids have changed… too much hand-holding these days.”
According to a recent poll, 22% of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more than once a day.2 Seventy-five percent of teenagers now own cell phones, and 25% use them for social media, 54% use them for texting, and 24% use them for instant messaging.3 Thus, a large part of this generation’s social and emotional development is occurring while on the Internet and on cell phones. The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families | American Academy of Pediatrics (aappublications.org)
Social media and cell phones have changed the landscape for our children and young athletes dramatically within a short period of time. Kids, who used to be seeking personal approval from a small group of people surrounding them (teachers, parents, peers etc), now are seeking approval from a much wider group of people the world over. Even more damaging, this world is a filtered environment. A place where you can put out to the universe only your best version of yourself both physically and emotionally. In a brief period of time, this paradigm shift has altered our kids. Just look at these numbers:
- Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for older teens and young adults.
- The suicide rate has been increasing from 2007 through 2017.
- The rate went from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 people to 10.6, according to the CDC report.
- Teen Suicide Rate Spikes 56% in a Decade (healthline.com)
Did you know, “Research shows that in 2000, the average attention span of a person was 12 seconds. Nowadays, it’s 8 seconds” The Teenage Attention Span is Short. Plan Accordingly (yourteenmag.com)
Life isn’t easier nowadays for every kid, but it is different than a generation ago. The best coaches and teachers recognize these challenges and seek to create a space where kids and athletes can grow, develop and mature, rather than trying to change history. Recognize the challenges, create a curriculum and a culture, and then challenge these athletes to be the best they can be.
The development of mental toughness is critical within this stage of maturity. By utilizing the language that appeals to them and creating physical challenges that still push them, you can get them to work through adversity and use constructive peer pressure to have them succeed. Take, for example, the Ice Bucket Challenge:
The Ice Bucket Challenge, sometimes called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, was an activity involving the pouring of a bucket of ice water over a person’s head, either by another person or self-administered, to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as motor neuron disease and in the United States as Lou Gehrig‘s disease) and encourage donations to research. The challenge was co-founded by Pat Quinn and Pete Frates;[1] it went viral on social media during July–August 2014.[2][3] In the United States, many people participated for the ALS Association, and in the United Kingdom, many people participated for the Motor Neurone Disease Association,[4] although some individuals opted to donate their money from the Ice Bucket Challenge to other organizations.[5]
The challenge encourages nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation.[6]… raised over $220M worldwide for the disease.
Ice Bucket Challenge – Wikipedia
A generation ago, without social media platforms, this type of fundraising would have been nearly impossible and have necessitated tremendous amounts of staff and financial infrastructure to have been able to accomplish. In 2015, all it took was a bucket of ice and a cell phone.
Recognize this generation’s strengths. Have them work through adversity. Develop and nurture their creativity. They might be stronger for it in the long run.
Do kids have it easier?
I dont think so… Its just different.
By Andrew Trimble
Andrew is the GM/ Co- Owner of the New England Wolves (ww.ne-wolveshockey.com)
To Purchase Andrew’s new book, The Hockey Planner, follow this link here- The Hockey Planner: A Year by Year Plan to Assist You on Your Hockey Coaching Journey: From Learn to Play to Junior Hockey: Trimble, Andrew: 9781963743388: Amazon.com: Books
