Compared with earlier generations, many children today grow up in a more demanding environment shaped by rapid technological change and heightened social expectations. I agree that living and developing in the 21st century is harder overall, because risks to wellbeing have increased while traditional sources of protection have weakened.

A central challenge is the digital landscape, which exposes children to constant comparison, cyberbullying, and excessive screen use. Unlike earlier, limited media, social platforms penetrate the home and daily routine, disturbing sleep, concentration, and self-esteem. Online harassment can spread instantly and remain visible for years, generating stress that schools and families find difficult to contain, thereby harming emotional resilience during crucial stages of development.

Another difficulty arises from intensified academic competition and economic pressure on families. Education systems increasingly emphasise early achievement and continual testing, while insecure employment and rising living costs reduce parental time and stability. Although modern healthcare and access to information are clear benefits, they do not offset anxiety caused by examinations, reduced unstructured play, and uncertainty about future prospects.

In conclusion, despite undeniable technological and medical progress, contemporary childhood often involves heavier psychological and social burdens than before. Digital risks and intensified academic and economic pressures complicate healthy development. It is therefore reasonable to argue that, for many children, growing up in the 21st century is more difficult than it was in the past.