A lot of my thinking revolves around my role as a dad and how I can protect and support my child, and be a good friend. It's difficult to put into words how deeply I care about these questions and how important it is to me that these kids live a secure, healthy, happy, and impactful life. So, what does it mean to be a kid in the 2020's is a constant question we discuss.

I guess there was always reasoning to say something like “Today’s world isn’t easy”. In examining the specific challenges of the 2020s, we can observe. Advancements in technology leading to issues like cyberbullying, social media pressures, online safety concerns, and excessive screen time. Complex global issues such as climate change, wealth inequality, COVID-19 and lockdowns, economic uncertainty, political tensions, and social inequality further compound the difficulties faced by young people. Mental health concerns related to academic performance, social expectations, body image, and peer relationships add to the pressure. Societal changes, like increased mobility, changing family structures, and diverse cultural backgrounds, have made it more challenging for kids and teens to navigate relationships. Moreover, increased academic pressure with high-stakes testing and the pursuit of college admissions adds additional stress. Increased Exposure to Information (escapism, distinguish (ir)relevant, fake/truth

While I haven't figured out how to cope with most of these challenges myself, I can imagine the struggles that kids and teens face. However, it's important to recognize that amidst these challenges, there lies a lot of potential in the changes of them. Supportive communities, access to resources, advancements in mental health awareness (finally becoming less stigmatized) and more accessible, and opportunities for personal growth and development can help them navigate and thrive in this highly connected and information-driven world.

Instead of avoiding challenges, it is crucial to avoid dysfunctional coping. Instead of "Wait, we've already dealt with other crises, it won't be so bad," the right attitude is "Okay, there will be changes, better be prepared." Rather than adopting an attitude of complacency, young people need to embrace the concept of "Change by Design" and be prepared for the changes that lie ahead.

However, it is essential to realize that this can only work if our kids are emotionally stable. The current reality is that younger generations are facing a significant mental health crisis, experiencing stress, anxiety, disconnection, and depression. Knowing how to solve a problem is not very helpful if you lack the motivation and enthusiasm to actually address it. Unfortunately, traditional education systems have often neglected the promotion of social-emotional competencies. Parents, too, may feel overwhelmed or lack the necessary knowledge and practice. Accessible support systems such as mentors, therapy, counseling, and other resources are needed to address this gap. Emotional competence helps young people understand, regulate, and express their emotions effectively. It empowers them to manage stress, build meaningful connections, and navigate challenges with resilience.

We need to experiment with new ways to train emotional competence. I am a big fan of: If it feels to hard to change it, then let's use it differently. If our kids are already addicted to problematic TikTok videos/usage and apps, let's just change the content so that it contributes to positive goals.

So, I once set out to design a product that aims to make its users emotionally competent. An app that helps understand and process emotions, learns something useful from all emotions. It assists users in opening up and provides a vent, while also connecting them with others and showing that we all often experience similar things. It's a product that showcases the diversity and beauty of all emotions without categorizing them as good or bad, which unfortunately happens too often in today's world. To prepare the generation soon to be our leader and care-taker.