About the Life of a Digi Kids
8. September 2023Digital children believe that the network is as real as the forest. They were born into a world with the internet. They see no reason to live without a phone—it has become part of their being.
What is life like for someone who is constantly connected to the internet? What are today’s parents, teachers, and children like? How do we feel when the internet looks us in the eye, when social networks network our minds, when artificial intelligences walk inside us? What do we think about all of this? Are we all digital children? On 11 April 2023, Mgr Jan Kršňák, an expert on the impact of digitalisation on human life, delivered a lecture addressing these pressing questions. Jan Kršňák is the founder of the Digiděti project, through which he provides lectures to parents, teachers, pupils, students, and others interested in understanding the penetration of digital technologies into their daily lives. He also specialises in intuitive pedagogy and innovative education. The lecture linked these topics with the theme of digitalisation, emphasising Kršňák’s belief: “A growing human being is more beautiful than a growing population of machines.” Jan Kršňák is the co-author of How to Learn to Live? If Humans Were Trees. His latest book, Digital Children: How to Care for Children Who Are Simultaneously Cared for by Digital Technology, explores the interplay between children and digital devices. His mission is to seek and share answers to critical questions: How can we understand the ongoing digitalisation of society? How can we navigate the ocean of information without losing ourselves? And how can we find a balance between machines and humanity? About the Life of a Digi Kids Digital children believe that the network is as real as the forest. They were born into a world with the internet. They see no reason to live without a phone—it has become part of their being. The lecture and discussion were organised by the Institute of Educational Sciences. We extend our heartfelt thanks for an inspiring talk and discussion, which, in the spirit of “a good servant but a bad master,” highlighted the risks while also conveying a strong message: if we stay connected to ourselves and do not lose sight of human contact and dialogue, we can certainly navigate this challenge successfully.