My wife and I are looking forward to welcoming our first child this summer, and I'm so excited to raise a thoughtful and articulate citizen. But teaching 17-22 year olds has me so afraid that it won't matter how much I read to my kid and try to nurture his curiosity and social skills. If he's just surrounded by kids who are raised by iPads and brainrot, what difference will it truly make if we keep him off screens? Even if we aim to work with teachers and hold our student accountable, will it matter if the other parents are quick to blame teachers and "protect" their students from any form of feedback? What hope do we really have of raising someone who can lead and follow with intention if their cohort might just be doomed to live out their lives in an uncaring and unthinking society?

Maybe I'm just catastrophizing. But I am afraid for our future and for my son.