“Is today’s generation a lost generation?”

In our educational work, we interact daily with children and young people.

We see them, we listen to them, and we constantly learn from them.

That is why the question, “Is today’s generation a lost generation?”, is not an abstract one; it is deeply real.

Often, we hear this question asked with concern, frustration, or even resignation.

We look around and see young people more connected to screens than to people, trapped in digital worlds, tempted by forbidden substances, seemingly disinterested in real socialising, volunteering, or participating in community life.

But is this the full reality, or only part of the story?

📲 Device dependency: cause or symptom?

Technology has been part of their lives from the earliest years.

Devices are not the problem in themselves, but rather the lack of balance.

Phones, tablets, and social media are not inherently “the enemy.” Yet they have become a refuge.

For many young people, the online world offers quick validation, control, and a sense of belonging, things they may no longer easily find in real life.

The problem arises when screens replace conversations, play, healthy conflict, authentic relationships, creativity, and dialogue, leading to isolation, anxiety, and difficulties in communication.

Education should help young people use technology wisely, not be controlled by it.

🗣️ Forbidden substances: a cry for help?

Substance use is not a meaningless act of rebellion. Most often, it is a sign of lack of direction, anxiety, social pressure, or loneliness.

When a young person does not feel they belong, are listened to, or valued, they will seek escape wherever they can.

👥 Where has socializing gone?

Socialising has not disappeared; it has transformed. Young people communicate, but differently, more online, less face-to-face.

However, essential skills like empathy, direct communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution cannot be learned from a screen.

🤝 Lack of civic engagement and volunteering

Few young people participate in public service or volunteering, not because they do not care, but because:

🌟 They are not offered enough real opportunities,

🌟 They are not actively invited,

🌟 They do not see inspiring role models,

🌟 Or they do not feel they can make a difference.

So… is this a lost generation? No.

It is a generation that is confused, overloaded, raised in a fast, unstable, and contradictory world. A generation that needs:

🌱 Guidance, not judgment

🌱 Opportunities, not labels

🌱 Trust, not fear

Our responsibility❗

If we want engaged, responsible, and connected young people, we must ask ourselves:🌟 What spaces do we provide for them to express themselves?❗

🌟 How much do we truly listen to them?❗

🌟 What examples do we set for them?❗

🌟 How do we include them in the community?❗

Generations do not get lost on their own. They are shaped by the society that raises them.❗

Perhaps the real question is not “Are they a lost generation?” but “What are we doing to ensure we don’t lose them?” 🌱🌈

Author: Cristina Zolde, Teacher and Co-Founder of EduArt C.I.C., a non-

profit dedicated to innovative education and youth training.