WHY MUSIC MATTERS IN A SCREEN-OBSESSED WORLD
Hawaii MusicWorks
By a mom who raised musical kids—and still believes in real-life magic.
Even though my kids are grown, I still remember the number of times many times I’ve said:
“Put the phone down. Go do something real.”
If you're a parent today, you know exactly what I mean. Our kids are growing up in a world of constant screen stimulation—YouTube, TikTok, video games, group chats, Netflix binges... it never ends. And while technology brings some cool things into their lives, it also steals a lot.
It steals their attention.
It dulls their creativity.
And sometimes, it even steals their sense of self.
That’s why I believe—now more than ever—that music matters.
Music is the antidote to digital overload
Music isn’t just another activity. It’s a full-body, full-heart experience.
When a child learns to play an instrument, they’re doing something that no app or algorithm can replicate. They’re:
- Engaging their brain in real-time problem solving
- Training their hands to coordinate with their ears
- Building emotional awareness through sound
- Creating something from nothing—no filters, no edits, just them and their expression
And here's the best part:
They’re present.
Not scrolling. Not comparing. Not distracted.
They're living in the moment, one note at a time.Music gives kids a sense of identity that’s not curated
Social media pressures kids to perform a version of themselves that’s liked or shared. But when they’re playing a song they love, or writing lyrics that come from the heart, they don’t need anyone else’s approval. They get to ask:
“What do I like? What do I want to say?”
That’s powerful.
Music helps them figure out who they are—quietly, honestly, away from the noise.Music teaches resilience in a world of shortcuts
We live in an instant culture. One click, and it’s delivered. One scroll, and it’s gone. But music takes time. Learning a chord progression, memorizing a piece, hearing improvement over weeks or months—it’s slow and sometimes frustrating.
But kids need that.
They need to know that hard work pays off. That discipline leads to confidence. That failure is part of progress.
Music teaches them to stick with something—and that lesson translates far beyond the practice room.
It’s not just about making musicians. It’s about making whole people.
At Hawaii MusicWorks, we don’t expect every student to become a concert pianist or a rockstar (though hey, we love seeing them dream big!). What we do want is for every student to walk away with:
- Confidence in their voice
- A lifelong appreciation for creativity
- A healthy outlet for emotion
- And a break from the constant noise of the digital world
As a mom, I’ve seen firsthand what music can do for a child’s spirit.
As an educator, I see it happen in our studios every single day.
So if you're wondering whether music lessons are “worth it” in today’s busy, tech-fueled world…
My answer is simple:
Music is more than worth it. It’s essential.