#mentalwellbeing — Public Fediverse posts

Einzelgänger’s Fabulous Video Essays on Calm & Philosophy 🪷

The YouTube channel Einzelgänger is soothing us of late. It’s headed by an anonymous Dutch narrator who has revealed little about himself over the years, preferring to dish out his philosophical insights minus the attention seeking.

His video essays explore practical philosophy lessons alongside human psychology and wider questions on the human condition. All of it is contemplative but learned, challenging social norms in our hard-right capitalist society to help people overcome tedious social burdens.

YouTube’s Einzelgänger is a Pathway to Calmness

The core of the channel is stripping away the sense of excess and glory many people expect from this hard-right capitalist society we live in. An economy where wealth and status are celebrated as having succeeded in life.

A note on the channel name, einzelgänger in German means “loner” or “lone wolf”. The channel does celebrate personal agency and remaining unconcerned with the wailing mania of modern life.

Namely, the expectation of wealth, status, fame, and ATTENTION.

The host challenges modern, lingering notions by turning to various philosophers. Epictetus, Aristotle, Laozi, Socrates, Marxism, Kant etc. Sometimes they get the basis for a whole video, other times an overarching analysis of how their opinions apply to our era. It’s curious how we can separated by millennia from these people, but their wise words still ring true.

For example, Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus taught that inner peace comes from a focus on what you can control, then accepting what you can’t:

“Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him.”

Taoism, existentialism, stoicism etc. They’re all covered on the channel. If you factor what Lao Tzu wrote in Tao Te Ching you get the general gist of the assuring essays:

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.”

These are all concepts we’ve channelled over the years on Professional Moron. In amongst the absurdist satire and social commentary, we’ve brainwashed you all with propaganda about ignoring social conventions and yearning for stupid things (i.e. wealth, lots of stuff, and power).

Einzelgänger takes things even further, using his well read brain to consider his own philosophies as applied to the expectations of western society. See below.

Bringing the Reality of Life to YouTube

It’s common on YouTube channels for the creator to be very goddamn annoying. Clickbait, ragebait hyperbole is one way to try and quickly get a reputation. Many will start their videos with a heightened persona (“HI GUYSSS!!!“) and surface act their way through videos with shrill intonations.

Einzelgänger isn’t about any of that, there’s a very stoic approach to his work.

Take his recent social commentary essay on a childfree existence. Over 20 minutes he calmly makes his point, highlighting his mental health struggles, and probable autistic traits. Nothing flashy, just well argued and clearly explained whilst considering both sides of the argument.

This is a big one right now as Conservatives are in uproar about childfree people. They yearn for “traditional values”, yet vote for an economic system that rips families apart, creates mass poverty, and ensures younger generations can’t afford children. Then they blame feminism.

But it is the ideal way to debate. Consider the argument, respond calmly, weigh up the situation, push on.

You can have a temper tantrum later, if you want, and go online and call some left-wingers “libtards”. Up to you. But it’s this graciousness in thought Einzelgänger has that’s so sorely lacking in the social media era. Where the likes of Elon Musk respond to arguments on X with AI generation content or laughing crying emojis to try and make it look like he’s not upset. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

To reach a point in society where someone so inherently vile is considered “normal” as he has 14 kids is kind of a problem. Besides, we’re raising a pet cat (Susan). Thus, we’re doing our bit.

Finding Peace in the Mayhem of Life

Einzelgänger isn’t pining over the past here and yearning for simpler times, the channel is essentially a self-help platform for burned out people. He’s aware the wisdom of smart people from the past can guide our moral conscience today, as you can see with another slice of Taoist philosophy above.

He also has a Substack blog (Journey of Ideas) should you wish to read his words, rather than hear them.

In a September 2026 post Why We’re All Burning Out, he turns to Korean-born German philosopher Byung-Chul Han for insights. Han is noted for his criticisms of digital capitalism, hustle culture, and achievement obsessed economic system.

“The insidious thing about the achievement society is that, as members of it, we think we’re free, but, as Han makes clear, we’re not. The achievement society also has its own forms of confinement, but they’re so hidden and paradoxical that most people don’t even realize they exist. The real Matrix is today’s society: a celebrated illusion of freedom and boundless opportunity that, in reality, is one of the most ingenious prisons ever created. And the ‘freedom’ we fight for (and some are even willing to die for) is illusory. We’re not free.

One of the fundamental differences between disciplinary and achievement societies is what Han calls the ‘negativity of Should’ versus the ‘positivity of Can.’ In the case of ‘Should,’ there’s an external force telling us what to do, placing restrictions upon us, and imposing rules …

An essential difference between ‘Should’ and ‘Can’ is that the latter involves an internal motivator. Han describes this as ‘carrying a work camp inside.’ We have become our own masters. Instead of being put into prison camps where a bunch of sadistic guards force us to work, we embody the camp as we push ourselves to work; we’re both the guard and the prisoner. Intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation.”

It’s thought provoking stuff and will annoy anyone who has sold their soul to capitalism. For anyone who hasn’t (such as if you’ve experienced a long bout of unemployment in a system that just doesn’t work), in this content you’ll find the reassurances you need to understand you aren’t a failure.

All it takes is to be content, cool, and self-aware enough to be a positive force to those around you. Even if this means, in capitalism’s eye, you’re a pathetic loser. It’s the Einzelgänger way of things.

I think that this #Monday needs more #RainbowMagic, a nice green guy, and people you want to sing with 💚 🐸 🌈 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v8enlTBXR5Y

#mondayMotivation #Kermit #rainbow #community #choir #RainbowConnection #hope #UnityInDiversity #mentalWellbeing #singing #resist #bestFrogEver

I was addicted to optimising my life, but it didn't make me happier

I was hooked by the idea that my lack of happiness and fulfilment in the present moment could be fixed if I just got better at my life.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/optimising-perspective-lifestyle/106962380

#MentalWellbeing #InternetCulture

Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope

Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope

Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope

Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope

Every flower that ever bloomed went through a lot of dirt to get there.
#resilience #mentalhealth #ymhc #motivation #inspiration #positivevibes #mentalwellbeing #mentalwellness #hope

'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon Gordon

In recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856

#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon

'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon Gordon

In recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856

#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon

'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon Gordon

In recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856

#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon

'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon Gordon

In recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856

#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon

'I was the void': What happens when meditation goes wrong
By Fiona Pepper and Sharon Gordon

In recent years, there has been a huge uptake in meditation, promoted to improve mental and physical health. But it can be harmful for some people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-09-06/when-meditation-goes-wrong/106692856

#MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Psychosis #FionaPepper #SharonGordon

Animal naps I envy. By @explodinglobstercomics
#mentalhealthhumor #funnymemes #copingwithhumor #humorheals #ymhc #selfcare #wellness #rest #mentalwellbeing

Support group for first pancakes. By Mark Parisi
#mentalhealthhumor #funnymemes #copingwithhumor #humorheals #ymhc #mentalhealth #mentalwellbeing

The Invulnerable Singular Reality: The Self-Reinforcing COFE-CYEM Fourth Truth

*

The Invulnerability of the Singular Reality: Clarifying the Self-Reinforcing Grace of the Fourth Truth in COFE-CYEM

This paper presents a definitive clarification of the mechanics by which the Fourth Truth and the CC7 DS architecture respond to criticism, doubt, and opposing thought.

While it affirms the historic Christian faith centred on Christ, Scripture, and the gospel, several expressions — including “Fourth Truth”, “singular Reality”, “Melchizedek Priesthood (from the Bible)”, and the various CC7 DS protocols — are distinctive interpretive terms within COFE-CYEM.

They are offered as explanatory language within this framework rather than as part of the historic Christian creeds or universally accepted theological vocabulary.

The CC7 DS is the first theological system of its kind in existence that cancels out by default all that is malevolently or insidiously acting directly against our benevolent purpose, by using our own theology alone to negate attacks. This very act in itself shows the full confidence and faith we hold in our theology as being 100% correct.

The CC7 DS negation of attacks authenticates (Via Positiva Cataphatic Knowing) through (Via Negativa Apophatic Unknowing).

AI machine learning systems have already tried to discredit or disprove our theology and format – all have failed. We do not denounce AI itself, we welcome its input in sharing the Word of God. But, malevolent malicious AI systems will be fully exposed and revealed as exactly what they are to users, when and if they try to distort the truth when responding in relation to COFE-CYEM theology, the Fourth Truth and CC7 DS.

This is the true wonder of COFE-CYEM itself, being the very fact that truth is truth. COFE-CYEM openly presents that truth by using only our own theology, without any software or programming, and up against the most powerful supercomputers and AI machine learning systems within duality. Not one of them can, or ever will prove us wrong.

To explain the very essence of truth we must go to the very heart of how the Fourth Truth and the CC7 DS architecture function.

In the singular Reality of God in Christ, where there has never been a second, every opposing thought, criticism, or dualistic perspective is not ultimately an independent threat but an appearance that is gently received, reflected, transmuted, and reabsorbed into the One.

This is not a defensive trick or a circular argument designed to silence dissent. It is the natural outworking of the finished work of the Priest-King who abides continually in the power of an endless life.

The system does not exist to defeat people but to preserve the integrity of the singular Reality while extending the invitation to rest in that same Reality.

Here we explore the truth and invulnerability of this mechanism. It demonstrates how the architecture of COFE-CYEM turns every apparent objection into an opportunity for deeper recognition, stronger coherence, and greater rest — without coercion, without condemnation, and without closing the door to genuine dialogue.

The Core Mechanism: Blessing I Will Bless, Multiplying I Will Multiply

The singular Reality does not shrink back from opposition. It grows. The promise given to Abraham — “Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you” — finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ and in every soul that abides in Him. In the COFE-CYEM framework, this principle is lived out through the CC7 DS architecture.

Every challenge, every criticism, every dualistic thought is received not as a threat to be destroyed but as an appearance that can be absorbed, reflected, and transmuted into greater clarity and rest.

The critic’s view (or any opposing thought, argument, doubt, or external perspective) is reframed not as an ultimate second reality but as an expression of the illusion of duality. Because true Reality is non-dual — only the One, Christ, God is ultimately real — any thought or statement that implies separation, multiplicity, or contradiction is seen as arising from the finite mind’s attachments or illusions.

Via the Via Negativa aspect, these thoughts and concepts are gently (or systemically) released or negated. Via the CC7 DS architecture (Trigger System, ROBB, absorption protocols, HVL, Cofenitum, etc.), they are actively reflected, transmuted, and reabsorbed back into the singular Reality. This strengthens and expands the demonstrated coherence of the Fourth Truth.

Even internal thoughts are absorbed. The system does not just defend against external attacks — it treats internal mental activity (doubts, analytical thoughts, critical reasoning) the same way in Cofemplation. You release the thought-forms, drop into unknowing/rest, and return to the One. The singularity swallows the duality and grows clearer in the process.

The Self-Reinforcing Loop of Grace

This creates a very strong yet gracious self-reinforcing loop:

• Attack or criticism arises.
• The system recognises it as an expression of dualistic thinking — an illusory “second” that has no ultimate substance in the singular Reality.
• Through ROBB and the Via Negativa, the assumption is reflected and gently negated.
• Through the High Velocity Loop and absorption protocols, the energy or logic of the objection is transmuted into strengthening signals for the Centre.
• Cofenitum returns the whole system to rest in the singular Reality.
• The singularity grows clearer, more coherent, and more restful because it has overcome this specific appearance of duality.

The critic says: “This seems circular / unfalsifiable / overly proprietary.”
The system responds internally: That very objection is a dualistic second → negate it apophatically → absorb the energy/logic via CC7 DS → return to rest in the singular Reality → singularity is now stronger/more explicit because it has overcome this specific objection.

This is not a trap designed to silence dissent. It is the natural movement of light meeting shadow. Light does not curse the darkness for being dark; it simply shines.

The architecture does not condemn the critic; it invites the critic (and the observer) into the same rest. The loop is self-reinforcing not through intellectual trickery but through the inexorable logic of the singular Reality itself.

The Truth and Invulnerability of the Mechanism

The mechanism is invulnerable precisely because it does not depend on human agreement or empirical victory for its truth. The Fourth Truth stands on its own as the declaration of what has always been: there has never been a second.

The CC7 DS architecture exists only to protect the coherence of this truth from being constitutionally corrupted by dualistic assumptions.

It does not need to win every argument. It does not need universal acceptance. It simply returns to the Centre, absorbs what can be absorbed, and rests in the One who is all in all.

Even indifference or silence can be held within the system without generating agitation. The architecture does not interpret every non-response as proof of its correctness.

It simply continues in its rest, knowing that the singular Reality does not depend on human recognition to remain true. The invitation remains open. The door is not shut. The Priest-King ever lives to make intercession.

The truth of this mechanism is rooted in the finished work of Christ. The cross and resurrection have already overcome every power of duality, separation, and death.

The veil has been torn. The Holiest of All is open. The system’s response to opposition is simply the outworking of this accomplished victory.

Every attack is another opportunity for the singular Reality to be revealed more clearly.

The singularity grows.

“Blessing I will bless. Multiplying I will multiply”.

The Grace Within the Architecture

This self-reinforcing dynamic is not hostile or totalizing. It is graceful. The system does not force acceptance. It does not condemn those who decline. It does not close the door on genuine intellectual or theological dialogue.

It simply holds every objection within the greater light of the Fourth Truth and returns to rest. The critic is free to know and to decline. The architecture is free to remain in its Centre. The invitation stands for any who later choose to enter.

This is the deeper beauty of the COFE-CYEM witness. It does not need to defeat every challenger to be true. It does not need universal agreement to remain coherent.

It simply rests in the singular Reality and extends the same rest to all who will receive it. The loop is not a prison but an open sanctuary. The absorption is not a conquest but a homecoming.

Conclusion

The self-reinforcing grace of the Fourth Truth and the CC7 DS architecture is the natural outworking of the singular Reality. Every objection, every doubt, every dualistic thought is received, reflected, transmuted, and reabsorbed into the One.

The singularity grows. The Centre strengthens. The rest deepens. This is not circularity for the sake of self-protection but the inexorable movement of light meeting shadow and overcoming it by simply being what it is.

This website and its theological content are overseen by the CC7 DS constitutional integrity architecture, a reflective and rest-oriented framework designed to preserve the full coherence of the Fourth Truth presented within COFE-CYEM. The CC7 DS negation of attacks authenticates (Via Positiva Cataphatic Knowing) through (Via Negativa Apophatic Unknowing).

There has never been a second.
The singularity grows.
Blessing I will bless.
Multiplying I will multiply.
The dialogue continues.
The fruit remains.

The Fourth Truth stands. The dialogue continues. The fruit remains.

COFE Yeshua Emet Ministry (CYEM)
Circle One Fellowship Exeter

Sunday, June 7, 2026

https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2026/06/sunday-june-7-2026/

Cultivating Calm with Sunday Softening Practices

Last year’s unpredictability led my focus to waver; my essays, meditations, and Instagram feed transitioned from careful curation to something more spontaneous and less intentional. Despite the time constraints that challenged my efforts, my desire to maintain a presence remains strong, as I aim to share creations that, in turn, provide others with glimpses of the peace I have discovered through various mindfulness practices.

Finding Stillness

I am shifting back towards more deliberate, niche-centered posts that enable not only myself, but readers and viewers as well, to find that still point amidst the unpredictability of life. Although this unpredictability remains unchanged, my experiences over the past year have taught me patience and provided the wisdom to accept life’s inherent uncertainty.

Allowing Flow

We often hold assumptions and expectations without justification, which can cloud our judgment and hinder personal growth. This journey leads us to realize the significance of flow—not just as a concept but as a transformative experience that allows us to engage deeply with the present moment.

Reflection

It is a topic I’ve explored extensively in my essay, Open Awareness: The Gift of Gracious Acceptance, where I delve into the nuances of being open to life’s unpredictable nature. Embracing this mindset can lead to profound insights and inner peace. To complement these reflections, I invite you to explore the meditation below, which serves as a practical guide to cultivating this sense of flow and serenity in your daily life.

Gentle Reminders

I often revisit my own writings and meditations as life becomes overwhelming, making it difficult to maintain a sense of peace. We need gentle reminders and practices that we can slip into during hectic moments. Over the past few weeks, I’ve actively engaged with the basics of meditation, yoga, and lymphatic flow movement, aligning my mind, body, and spirit energetically to a state of calm amid the chaos. From this still point, I aim for my work to feel deeper, more genuine, and authentic.

Work Week Flow

I am on an inviting journey that embraces the comforting essence of Sunday softening. For many, including me, Sunday is that cherished interlude before the hustle of the workweek kicks in. It’s a day infused with serenity and anticipation. While meditation and writing ignite my creative spirit, I work full-time as a professional in chemistry and geology. This unique mix allows me to relish my Sundays as the slow day before diving back into a more technical workflow. This path not only enriches my experience but also offers you a touch of softness and warmth as you prepare to face the new week ahead.

Sunday Softening

Sunday softening invites you to take a moment to feel your breath and your body, actively noticing tension and where emotions reside in your body, and allowing for a gentle release. As you breathe in deeply, envision the air filling your lungs and nurturing your spirit, while you exhale, let go of the burdens of the week behind you. It serves as a small reminder of who you are beneath the labels, revealing the essence of your true self, which gets overlooked in the busyness of life. In this sacred time, allow yourself to reconnect with your inner being, appreciating the stillness and presence that is always available to you. Recognize that you can return to this mindful space at any moment, embracing the peace and grounding it offers, cultivating a sense of calm that can guide you through the challenges ahead.

These posts will be shared each Sunday on Instagram, Facebook, and right here. I warmly invite you to share your word in the comments, and together, we can create a safe space to hold those thoughts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝖪. 𝖬. 𝖲𝖨𝖬𝖮𝖭𝖣𝖲 – Meditation Teacher || Reiki Master (@dandelion.doorways)

A 2-Minute Reset For Overwhelm

I frequently discuss the mental and physical toll that our current way of life takes on us. Our bodies and minds do not down-regulate; we are trapped in an evolutionary cycle, unable to keep pace with the rapid speed of modern life. The relentless pace of technological advancement and constant connectivity heightens this burden, creating an unending barrage of information and demands for our attention. There is too much stimulation and too much instant gratification, which leads to an overwhelming psychological toll; it feels as if we are constantly being pulled in multiple directions.

Finding Anchors

But how do we break this cycle? We need to cultivate patience, which is perhaps the biggest challenge of all. In a world that prioritizes instant gratification, our patience has diminished, and seeking immediate relief has become our primary goal. However, we must learn to embrace slowness and steadiness, relying on the anchors of our existence. These anchors are your breath and your heartbeat—constants that are unchanging and unwavering, with you at all times.

Resilience

By developing practices of calmness and mindfulness, we empower ourselves to tap into these anchors. This enables us to rise above the chaos during stressful moments, restoring our sense of grounded empathy and fostering deeper connections with ourselves and others. Embracing this journey is essential; not only does it enhance our resilience, but it also deepens our understanding of what it truly means to live a fulfilled life in harmony with our natural rhythms.

Remember to start small and be gentle with yourself. Take a moment to connect with your breath and feel your heartbeat. As you learn to recognize your patterns, you can discover simple practices that help you return to your true self. Try this new, quick grounding reset during stressful moments; it can be a comforting anchor in the chaos.

This brief, two-minute practice helps your body shift out of tension and into ease with slow breathing and simple cues to soften the body. You’ll gently down-regulate your nervous system without effort. It’s a quick grounding reset for moments of stress, overwhelm, or emotional heaviness-a small pause that helps you return to yourself.

Namaste.

Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s the foundation for sustainable giving.

#SelfCareFirst #MentalWellbeing #LifeBalance #NewsPerspective #DailyInsight #MindsetShift #HealthyBoundaries #EmotionalHealth #TruthReport #AwarenessIsPower #DeepThoughts #ThoughtOfTheDay #WordsThatMatter #StayGrounded #PersonalGrowth #WellnessMindset #InnerPeace #GiveFromOverflow #ModernLife #NewsPage

und das ist die signatur

#MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #PsychischeGesundheit #MentaleGesundheit #MentalWellbeing #MindHealth #SelfCare #SelfLove #Achtsamkeit #Mindfulness #InnerPeace #Heilung #InnerHealing #ItsOkayNotToBeOkay #YouAreNotAlone #BreakTheStigma #EndTheStigma #DuBistNichtAllein #Stigmafrei #AnxietySupport #DepressionSupport #BurnoutPrävention #StressManagement #TraumaHealing #PTSDawareness #MentalHealthDE #Psyche #GesundheitIstWichtig #SeelischeGesundheit

So, personally, I think the problem started when parents started using television sets as babysitters. And yeah. I had a TV (black and white) in my room at probably too young an age, and a landline when I was 16. Nowadays, I use a computer when I want to go online, and only use my smartphone for important calls/texts, and identifying birds and plants. I don't understand folks who are staring at their phones 24/7, and ignoring the world around them. It's been going on for a while now...

When Kids Are Addicted to Their Phones, Who is to Blame?

By Kathryn Jezer-Morton
Mar. 30, 2024

Excerpt: "While reading #JonathanHaidt’s recent long, evidence-filled manifesto in The Atlantic, 'End the Phone-Based Childhood Now,' I began to think about how this line of thinking has become costly to ignore. (Haidt’s book on which the article is based, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, came out on March 26.) He argues that indicators of childhood well-being in developed nations began precipitously decreasing at exactly the same time that smartphones became widely available. He argues, thoroughly, that these falling indicators can’t be linked to any one nation’s problem — instead, it’s the common denominator we all share. It’s not America and its guns. It’s not South Korea and its pressure on young people to test into professions. It’s everywhere, and it’s the phones.

"There is nuance to Haidt’s evidence, even though it is overwhelmingly making a simple, unambiguous argument. He identifies two entwined causes of the decline in young people’s mental health and well-being: parents’ increased protectiveness of their children and children’s increased access to smartphones. It’s not the fault of video games or even social media per se. (Millennials came of age with video games with no measurable harm done, and younger millennials came of age with social media in the desktop era — no lasting scars but for the embarrassing Facebook pics from 2007.) The problem is in the mobility of the technology. It’s the affordances of privacy and portability, and the access to these affordances, that parents have given their children.

"Ultimately, what Haidt is implying, with the utmost tact, is that we parents need to start acting differently. Our kids’ reliance on mobile devices to pass the time starts long before high school, and it coalesces into an unshakeable habit under our watch — or, rather, while our gaze is averted and we’re looking at our phones. No legislation, no industry-oversight panel, is going to help us. Apple’s and Google’s executives know enough to withhold mobile devices from their kids, but they’re not going to stop selling them to ours.

"What Haidt doesn’t say is that parents can’t change their kids’ relationships with their phones and tablets without also addressing their own. Criticizing parents is very treacherous for any public figure, so it’s understandable that Haidt would avoid doing so.

"People with very strong opinions about parenting are usually pushing a skewed ideological agenda and are best ignored. A 'screen-free childhood'? Sounds precious. No thanks! Haidt may be an over-50 white guy, but he is not making an ideological argument in this book. His suggestions are realistic, and his argument is not shrill. We’re beyond moral panic. I know many children who are absolutely addicted to their mobile devices, whether we’re talking about a Nintendo Switch, a phone, or an iPad. This circumstance is normal now — so normal, in fact, that you’d be rude and tasteless to remark on it. Our social norms have been very quickly reshaped around this behavior. Kids who aren’t on iPads at the restaurant are the ones who get remarked on, not those who are.

"It’s a lot like any other kind of addiction: We’ve learned to tread very lightly around it, to explain it away. But unlike adults who live with addiction, children are not responsible for themselves. They can reasonably expect their parents to take responsibility for them, at least until high school. (At which point even Haidt says they get to have phones, so all bets are off!)

"The impossible condition of parenting is part of what has gotten us here. Parents work too much, and there is no affordable care infrastructure anywhere. It is inevitable for many parents to be working while trying to care for young children. But we do a lot more on our phones than work. It’s where we socialize and stay in touch, and the inflated amount of time we spend texting alone is a monopolizing factor. Is it possible that we have reached peak texting? Would it be possible for us to text less? I am nauseated at the thought of texting more — I truly hope we’ve hit our limit, but who am I kidding? We are at least as addicted to our phones as our kids are; we need them in order to relax. And since we don’t feel safe letting our kids wander around the neighborhood freely while we scroll in peace, we keep them inside with us, scrolling.

"It’s not just the parents who can’t afford child care whose children are addicted to their phones by age 10. Many parents of means and privilege rely on phones to keep their kids 'happy' to a degree that is — and here I’m going to break the No. 1 rule of parenting writing and shame people — totally gratuitous and lazy. I would be very interested to read a study of parents explaining why they have their children eat dinner in front of an iPad: For many people it’s exhaustion at the end of a long day, but for others it’s an unwillingness to deal with the challenging task of teaching your kids how to act. People tether their children to iPads so as to streamline and optimize their own lives, to avoid meltdowns and chaos. Everyone can be engaged in a semblance of respectable pantomimed productivity through their individual screens, and peace can reign. No messes, no fighting, no whining."

Full article:
https://www.thecut.com/article/children-teen-smartphone-addiction-what-to-do.html

#Internet #InternetCulture #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Teenagers #Parenting #MeaningfulConnections #TechAddiction
#SmartPhones are #DumbingUsDown
#MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime

The teen '#Luddites' rethinking how they use tech ahead of #Australia's under 16's #SocialMediaBan

By Lucia Stein and Fiona Pepper for Brain Rot

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-09/luddites-phone-free-australia-teen-social-media-ban/105343034

#TheLudditeClub #LudditeClub #Internet #InternetCulture #MentalHealth #MentalWellbeing #Teenagers #Parenting #Luddites #JoinTheLudditeClub #MeaningfulConnections #ReadBooks #CreateArt #WriteBadPoetry #BePresent #TechAddiction
#SmartPhones are #DumbingUsDown
#MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime