In childhood, a phrase learned early becomes a lifelong cue. It isn’t just about scolding a child for saying, “don’t be silly” or a similar retort. It’s a moment that often reshapes a family’s tone, a simple interruption that leaves a lasting impression. When a parent says a curt phrase like that, it can feel decisive, almost like a switch being flipped. The child may wonder what just happened, because a quick phrase is rarely the end of a story. Typically, after a short rebuke, a longer list of requests and expectations surfaces, almost like a yearly letter to the reyes magos for good behavior. The blunt line can feel disorienting and strangely effective—an abrupt reset that changes the conversation in an instant.
Perhaps one of the bigger challenges facing today’s youth, with the author’s permission to generalize, is the difficulty to simply be bored. A striking experiment tested this: removing screens from a group of young people for an entire week. The phone often acts as a safety net, filling every dull moment and stealing time away from personal reflection and family interaction. Remove the device, and days can reveal new activities, forgotten games, or hobbies that were abandoned in favor of endless scrolling on bright screens.
Consider how much progress has been made in a relatively short period, yet how much ground remains. Over the past year, the exposure of young people to mobile technology has shifted from a personal habit to a public health concern. This shift has dragged adults into the spotlight, because adults are the gatekeepers of access and limits. In many households, the decision to give a phone or the choice to regulate its use falls directly on grown-ups, shaping daily routines for the entire family.
It would not be unreasonable to challenge adults to a similar experiment: a week without a mobile device. The task might be tougher for some, given that smartphones are used for practical tasks like paying bills, listening to the radio, or catching up on news. Yet all of these activities can be accomplished in less automated ways, just as they were four days ago. The device feels so indispensable that it is easy to overlook the fact that, in their own childhoods, imagination filled the gaps left by screens—imagination powered by the raw materials of everyday life and unscripted play.
Learning to endure boredom is, in a sense, a childhood art that should be practiced early. The message remains simple: if boredom comes, the wise response is to observe one’s surroundings, explore, and engage with what is nearby. The lesson, brief yet enduring, suggests that when boredom arises, the mind can learn to navigate it without relying on a constant stream of distractions. In this way, being able to endure quiet moments becomes a foundational life skill that supports healthier choices and better balance in daily living.