When I first stepped into Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae, a village of more than 250 houseless
individuals near the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor, I expected to see hardship. What I didn’t expect was
to find community, leadership, and above all, family.
The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, February 2nd as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.
By Edward Wirtz, Ka'u High Class of 2025
Technology is deeply intertwined with nearly every aspect of life, and for the youngest
generation, it is almost impossible to imagine a world without smartphones, social media, and
constant connectivity. With its increasing prevalence, there is no denying technology’s profound
influence on shaping the next generation.
On one hand, these digital tools can be empowering, enabling young people to
communicate and grow in ways unseen in human history. On the other hand, technology
presents new challenges, including mental health issues, social isolation, and an erosion of
traditional developmental milestones — the full extent of which we are only beginning to
comprehend.
Humans are naturally curious creatures, and it is this curiosity that has driven innovation
and advancement throughout history. But in today's world, where answers are just a fingertip
away, we exercise our ability to think less and less. This is particularly concerning in education,
where true learning requires active engagement and independent problem-solving. With
transformative technologies like generative AI, it is becoming easy to bypass this process, using
AI to do anything from solving math problems to writing essays with little to no effort. While
some may be tempted to dismiss this as a harmless annoyance or simply “kids being kids,” the
long-term effects of such reliance on AI remain unknown. Once a tool to enhance creativity,
technology is now being used in ways that undermine it.
Generative AI isn’t the only factor hindering our ability to think critically and freely. Social
media is another powerful force shaping today’s youth. Although some argue that social media
can be a positive influence, platforms and algorithms designed to cater to personal interests and
viewpoints can be especially dangerous to developing and impressionable minds. Constant
exposure to idealized versions of life can foster unrealistic expectations and contribute to a
warped sense of self-worth. Young people are constantly looking within and increasingly
measuring their value through likes, comments, and follower counts. Researchers are beginning
to find that social media use is not merely correlated with adverse mental health outcomes, but
may actually cause them.
That is why it is more important than ever to make genuine human connections. For
previous generations, these connections were a natural part of life. Today, however, they must
be actively sought.
Recently, I went on a ski trip with my little cousin who is constantly on his phone or iPad
rather than engaging with family and friends. But during this trip, he put his devices away. We
skied for hours a day, enjoying the beautiful outdoors without phones and devices to distract us.
While we skied, I learned more about my cousin — his interests, personal life, and so much
more — building a genuine connection with him over our shared love of skiing.
This experience made me realize how crucial it is to nurture these connections and
experience the world without distractions. Instead of allowing screens to become the primary
source of entertainment for young children, adults should actively promote an interest in the
natural world, encourage outdoor activities, foster a love for reading, spend device-free family
time together, and support participation in extracurricular activities. And no matter what stage of
life we’re in, we should remember to put the phone down, take a moment to appreciate what’s
beyond the screen, and ground ourselves in reality. Human connections are right at our
fingertips, and screens do not have all the answers.
Related Articles
How many times have you picked up your phone today? If you’re like most people, the answer is
roughly 96 times, or once every 10 minutes. For teenagers, the numbers are even more alarming.
Teens spend over seven hours on their phone per day on average, according to Common Sense
Media.
We all have something we just don’t get. Maybe it’s car maintenance or writing a decent
essay. Whatever it is, it often becomes an unnecessary source of shame. For many senior
citizens, that “thing” is technology. While this might seem like a harmless or inevitable
generational gap, the reality is more serious: Our kupuna are falling behind because they don’t
have the support they need to keep up in an increasingly digital world.
In an age of unprecedented access to technology and resources, we like to believe that support is just a click or call away. Countless hotline numbers, shelters, community centers, and mental health or emergency services help those who have fallen victim to the devastating experience of human trafficking. These resources are vital lifelines for many, pulling people from the grasp of a horrible situation. But the truth is, the most impactful support doesn’t come from institutions. Instead, it comes from the people closest to us — our friends, family and loved ones.