What a time to be alive. Besides the impeccable bad luck 2006 (class of 2024) babies were struck with when facing the integration of ‘common core’ learning, we grew up at the perfect time. In my personal experience, and reported by many through social media, 2006 babies grew up with limited technology and ideal “influences.”
Technology is one of the biggest sore thumbs, sticking out as the problem with youth development today. IPhones, released in 2007, and iPads not until 2010, many children did not have the same childhood that kids now experience. Stuck to their iPads and over-stimulated with Cocomelon, ‘Gen Alpha’ and kids beyond 2006 were hit with technology way too early. But 2006 kids, we grew up with box televisions and educational shows like Dora.
I grew up innocently. I know various situations and differences in households may make that statement more or less shocking, but the majority of ‘06 kids did, too. Without social media, I feel like I grew out at my own pace. Not pressured by makeup trends, scaring my face with Retinol and wrinkle treatments by age 10. The lifestyle of limited to no social media shows in many of our lives. Many wanted YouTube Channels and created home videos of child activities rather than parents using their kids for money. Although the knowledge of the Wide Web was known, this was not a factor in our everyday lives. Students in 2006 were also the last of the bunch required to learn cursive and typing. As old-fashioned ways faded out, ‘06 babies tagged along for the last ride.
Growing up when I did was the best. I feel like I got to live the perfect childhood and grow up watching the media grow rather than growing up in/with the media.