A Look at Childhood Before the Digital Age
SINGAPORE: As technology advances and screens become ubiquitous, it’s hard to imagine a time when kids spent their days without the allure of smartphones and tablets. But 20-30 years ago, Singaporean children grew up in a world much different from today’s digitally saturated environment.
This month, the Game Boy Advance celebrates its 23rd anniversary, a device that shaped childhoods in the early 2000s. At the time, owning a Game Boy was the epitome of cool, as it introduced children to portable gaming. For many, it marked the beginning of screen-centric entertainment. Today, kids have smartphones, iPads, and more. However, for those who grew up before the screen era, their childhoods were filled with simple joys that didn’t rely on digital distractions.
Shannie, 36, remembers growing up in an HDB flat with playgrounds in every corner of the neighbourhood. “We played badminton, cycled around the estate, and hung out with friends. No screens, just real outdoor fun,” she recalls.
Kiwi, whose childhood days are a mix of athleticism and creativity, says, “I was always climbing things and learning parkour from the monkey bars. I read books and did jigsaw puzzles, and I spent weekends at the zoo, mimicking animal calls.”
For Janine, 25, games like hide-and-seek and performances like Hannah Montana shows for the family kept her entertained. “I had to make my own fun with my siblings, putting on plays and being creative around the house,” she says.
Tania, 20, who didn’t have a phone until she was 15, recalls the simplicity of childhood: “I borrowed my brother’s Game Boy and listened to music on an old MP3 player. My world was books, choirs, and piano lessons, with limited access to TV or screens.”
Bryan, 33, shares that he grew up with an obsession for books, particularly graphic novels. “I was a walking comic book encyclopedia, devouring every title I could get my hands on at second-hand bookstores or libraries,” he recalls.
For Daniel, 31, his family couldn’t afford a Game Boy, but he made do with what he had. “I loved reading the movie listings, watching VHS and VCDs, and playing games like StarCraft with cheat codes,” he reminisces.
It’s clear that childhood in Singapore, before the age of constant connectivity, was more about real-world interactions, physical activities, and cultivating hobbies that didn’t require a screen. Though today’s kids may have more advanced tools for entertainment, there’s something to be said for the simpler, more active childhoods of the past.
