Entering unchartered territory is challenging and not for the faint of heart. Thankful for all the pioneers whose courage led them to brave new areas, I relish those who are willing to risk the unknown. Trailblazers are eager to journey into new territories to open opportunities for the rest of us; and currently, I believe Gen Z will be the trailblazers on the road to understanding how portable digital technology will impact our culture. My concern is that this group of young people will become the canaries in the coal mine.

Growing up in West Tennessee did not allow much exposure to the workings of a coal mine, but through television shows such as Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart, I am provided a glimpse into the dangerous occupation. So, when Newport uses the term “a cognitive canary in a coal mine” to describe Gen Z, it resonated with me. If you are unfamiliar with the coal mining process, years ago miners would transport a canary in a cage with them into the mines to serve as a warning for leaking gases. The gases would kill the canary first, therefore, serving as a warning for the miners to exit as quickly as possible. Today, according to wikitionary, the phrase can mean, “Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming greater danger or trouble.”

In the post A Flourishing Generation, I expressed my optimism for how all generations can collaborate together to ensure that emerging generations flourish in their lives, but that optimism does not exist exclusive to concerns, so I pose the question, “Is Gen Z the Canary?” Newport shares the extensive use of digital devices by this generation and comments, “As most parents or educators of this generation will attest, their device use is constant. (The term constant is not hyperbole: a 2015 study by Common Sense Media found that teenagers were consuming media—including text messaging and social networks—nine hours per day on average.) This group, therefore, can play the role of a cognitive canary in the coal mine. If persistent solitude deprivation causes problems, we should see them show up here first.”

Unfortunately, because this is unchartered territory, we may not know the long-term results, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be intentional now about finding ways to use technology in moderation. The word moderation is repeatedly used in my courses whether we are discussing nutritional habits, exercise, or even serving in the church. God designed humans to live in a state of balance, to develop a Habit of Margin which means being self-aware of what our loads and limits are. For those who are younger, we may need to offer assistance to help them to determine their limit and teach them to discipline their time spent on digital devices. Emerging generations may be dependent on the adults in their sphere of influence to set limits in order to prevent a behavior addiction that has the potential to move them towards failure on the flourishing continuum.

Gen Z will be the canary for digital technology because we have no current means to measure the future. Guiding this generation now on establishing a technology philosophy that is in alignment with their values is critical and this is an ideal place for mentors to engage with the younger generations to share with them a life outside of the device in their hands. Wise mentors have an opportunity to open Gen Z’s eyes to the world of tinkering with their hands, learning new skills such as sewing, wood working, appliance repair, car mechanics, and cooking in order to create something of value. Hoarding the knowledge of a flourishing life outside the world of screens serves no good purpose. Pass on that information to a new generation. Invest relational equity in others to create a culture that thrives both in the digital world and the physical world.

Please feel free to comment in the section below in order to share your thoughts on how we can best guide emerging generations, especially in relationship to technology.