The Attention Economy: What Our Children Are Really Learning
Image by Gisela Merkuur from Pixabay
"Learning used to be about gaining knowledge," remarks Dr. Samantha Teel, Australia's leading digital education researcher. "Now it's about managing attention in an economy designed to steal it."
This resonates deeply with me. Last week, I watched my son attempt homework while simultaneously responding to three different message threads, checking a gaming forum, and half-watching a YouTube tutorial. The multitasking wasn't working—nothing was being absorbed.
The cognitive load was visibly crushing him, yet he couldn't disconnect. The dopamine hits from each notification were too compelling, too immediate.
Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay
This isn't just distraction; it's rewiring. A 2023 longitudinal study from the University of Sydney found that consistent social media use is reshaping neural pathways in adolescents, creating shorter attention spans and difficulty with sustained focus—precisely the skills needed for deep learning.
When I suggested we connect with one of Australia's premier elearning providers for a structured digital literacy course, my son rolled his eyes. "Dad, I already know everything about technology," he said, while simultaneously failing to complete a basic research assignment because he couldn't evaluate which sources were credible.
