21st century FUN & LEARN OPTIONS

New age co-curriculars such as podcasting, vlogging, etc which require creative use of digital platforms and technologies, are engaging a rising number of children positively and creatively. If guided constructively to avoid over- exposure to digital media, these modern pursuits can empower children's artistic talent, entrepreneurial energy, and perhaps open up career pathways

- KIRAN BALIMANE, ANDREW JOHN & CYNTHIA JOHN

Parents urging children to learn co-curricular activities such as singing, art and craft, and philately are often disappointed that once-popular co-curriculars aren't enthusing Gen Z. Yet such lamentation is unwarranted.

Children's co-curricular education preferences change from generation to generation. New age co-curriculars such as podcasting, urban photography/reels and vlogging which require creative use of digital platforms and technologies are engaging a rising number of children positively and creatively.

Although there's widespread apprehension that new-age digital devices are 'colonising' young minds and online trash is stealing the focus of millions of children and youth, it's also true that today's digital-native generation is redefining leisure with an entire universe of new-age co-curricular activities once known as hobbies. If guided constructively to avoid overexposure to digital media platforms, these modern pursuits can empower children's artistic talent, entrepreneurial energy, and perhaps open up career pathways.

However it can't be denied that instant digital connectivity and oceans of harmful and misleading content available to children at the click of a mouse have imposed a greater duty of care on latter-day parents. This challenge requires parents to establish check-in times to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate content, ensure internet privacy settings are appropriate, research safe photography-worthy locations, and help children differentiate between authentic expression and posting purely for likes and social validation.