Challenge of Detachment from the Digital World

Scholarship: Leadership and Experience

As a volunteer coach, I dedicate my Sundays to guiding children in outdoor activities, with one of my goals being to help steer them away from excessive screen time on devices like iPads and laptops. This endeavor has actually been a great opportunity for me to lead by example and it has also given me a fuller sense of the value of community involvement and the big impact it can have on the younger generation—as many of these children have expressed to me the great joy they have had in participating in these activities.

Through this initiative, I have also become aware of the challenges facing our youth today, particularly the lure of screens and the sedentary lifestyles that often follow. In encouraging children to engage in physical activities outdoors, my goal has been to show them a way towards a healthier, more active lifestyle that contrasts with the digital world's passivity. Part of this effort is to promote physical health; another part of it is about instilling values of teamwork, personal growth, and respect for the outdoors.

This experience has been transformative for the children I coach and also for me, too. It has taught me via direct experience the power of proactive leadership and the importance of making small but consistent efforts to have an impact in terms of community change. Seeing the joy and growth in the children week after week reaffirms my belief in the importance of direct, hands-on involvement in our communities.

Looking ahead, this work has inspired my future goals in interesting ways. First off, it has instilled in me a passion for advocacy and a faith in the potential of civic engagement to promote social well-being. Secondly, I am motivated to continue down this path, whether through further volunteerism, advocacy, or pursuing a career that allows me to contribute to the health and development of communities. In essence, my experience as a volunteer coach has shaped my vision for the future—a future where leadership and community involvement can help to address real social challenges.