In 2022, I wrote a children's book called Wings to tell about the importance of remembering our childhood dreams. The book follows a journey of rediscovering the wings we all once had, before the world taught us they were impossible.
"We all had our wings when we were young and free of the world's standards, stereotypes, and prejudices."
One thing that was quintessential to accepting who I am was seeing the undiluted nature of myself when I was a child. Childhood is a very limited phase of life when you are freed from societal standards by blissful ignorance. Realizing the importance of my genuine colors reflected through my childhood dreams, I was determined to protect that same authenticity in others. This led me to create an award-winning film and children's book, both carrying the same essential message: childhood dreams matter.
But something startling happened when I read my story in children's shelters and asked the kids about their dreams.
The answers were largely homogeneous: they wanted to become famous social media influencers.
It hit me then how algorithms are quietly and proactively narrowing children's imaginations to fit dreams that weren't theirs. The very thing I was trying to protect—childhood wonder and authentic dreams—was being systematically eroded by the technology surrounding these children.
It was then that I learned some harsh truths about the new generation, Gen Alpha, and the way they were raised.
