Editor’s Note: This image shows the troubling trajectory of modern education systems and how societal influences, like early exposure to gadgets, contribute to the “dumbing down” of society. In this image, the children enter school with vibrant creativity and intelligence, only to have these qualities drained away by a factory-like system, leaving them as standardized, disengaged graduates. The education assembly line reflects a system more focused on producing specialized workers rather than nurturing well-rounded, critical thinkers, capable of attaining their multitudes.
It is worth noting that this issue extends beyond just the schools. The early and pervasive availability of gadgets to children plays a significant role in squashing creativity. Instead of experiencing moments of boredom that naturally lead to imaginative thinking and problem-solving, children are often occupied by screens, leading to a passive consumption of content— seemingly unending. This reliance on gadgets can create an addiction. The result is a society increasingly filled with individuals more inclined to follow pre-determined paths and less capable of innovative thought. [See also: Unplugging for Health: Reverse Mental Health Decline in Gen Z, Philippines Turn to Online Learning to Improve PISA Scores: What Could Go Wrong?, Educators in Exodus: The Philippines Faces a Teacher Crisis]