criticism-toxic childhood

• Sue Palmer


  -argues rapid technological & cultural changes in past 25 years have damaged children's physical, emotional & intellectual development

  > junk food, computer games, intensive marketing to children
• concerns expressed about young people's health & behaviour

  -UK youth has above average rates in international league tables for:

  > obesity

  > self-harm

  > drug & alcohol abuse

  > violence

  > early sexual experience & teenage pregnancies

  -UNICEF survey ranked UK 16th out of 29 for children's wellbeing
• examples of toxic childhood

  -decline of outdoor play

  -commercialisation of childhood

  -screen saturation

  -testing & targeting
• how does screen saturation lead to toxic childhood?

  -less face to face interaction

  -increases anxiety

  -reduces communication skills
• how does testing & targeting lead to toxic childhood?

  -under pressure to perform