Posthuman Quantum: The Case of Childhood wwwebs
Posthuman Quantum: The Case of Childhood wwwebs

Author(s): Jelena Stojković
Subject(s): Education, Social Philosophy, Communication studies, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: Posthuman; quantum; childhood; habit; idealizing; brief period; simplicity; innocence; purity; fear; darkness; uncertainty;
Summary/Abstract: When asked, many adults will say that growing up used to be much easier back in time when there was no digital technology. But was it really? The habit of idealizing childhood as brief period of simplicity and innocence found its way to the very heart of academia, especially when it comes to the permeation of digital technology onto every aspect of life. It manifests through concerns about the “disappearance of childhood” and its “intoxication” due to the changes brought by technology (Postman 1982; Palmer 2006). Therefore, we are witnessing young generations growing up in front of the screens, not in playing outside. Even though it is factual that children are spending time in front of many different screens, this habit of childhood idealization could be more detrimental, and it should be questioned. There are a few reasons why. Firstly, childhood is experienced through many encounters with different practices, objects, processes and people, not just digital technology. Secondly, it must be seen beyond chronological frame of past, present and future (Murris 2016). Thirdly, the world was, is and will always be a challenging place to grow up in. Finally, childhood is concerned not just with joy, innocence, and purity but also with fear, darkness, and uncertainty (Mitranić 2021).

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