Navigating a High-Tech World
TECHNOLOGY CAN’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM
If you have ever worked with computers, you have probably experienced spending hours trying to solve a problem only to find you forget to check a box somewhere that instantly fixes everything. Although there are tools to help, there is no app, setting, or magical checkbox that will save the day.
The real solutions comes from investing into the situation, letting them know you care about them, having tough conversations, creating accountability, building their character, and teaching them to use technology in a way that honors God.
“Your presence online is representing yourself, your families, Jesus and your church”
– Dave Harris, ParentTechGuide
BUILD CHARACTER
Technology isn’t inherently evil, it’s more about how we choose to use technology. As parents and Christians, it’s our responsibility to build character in our children, so once they reach adulthood they are able to make responsible decisions on their own. With technology, we need to give them healthy Biblical guidelines and boundaries that create long-term values. Facebook won’t last forever (thank goodness), but God’s truth will always transcend our culture. It becomes less about the technology and more about guiding our child(ren) to make good choices – giving them a filter to know the difference between right and wrong. How we use and teach our children to use technology is an extension of our values and character. We need to raise a generation that reclaims technology for the kingdom of Christ and uses it in a way that is pleasing to God.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.“
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
MODEL THE WAY
The truth is, children learn the most from watching how we act and respond to situations. The same is true when it comes to areas of technology. They see the time spent and how we are using our time with technology. It’s important we follow the same rules and expectations we place on our children. If there is a rule of ‘No technology at the dinner table’, then the same rules apply for us as parents. The best way to build character in our children is to be the example and set the pace for our families.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.“
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)
CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY
We all need to be held accountable at one time or another to make sure we stay focused on living how God intended us to live. As parents, it’s important that we create a healthy accountability with our children as they grow in their faith. Simple things like random and frequent checks of their phone let your child know that you are invested in their world. This will also hopefully make them think a little harder the next time they’re tempted to engage in anything inappropriate since they know you’ll be checking.
Another option (read: recommendation), is to use parental controls on the phone to disable their ability to install an app. This forces them to come to you to ask permission to install anything on their phone, which lets you track everything installed on the phone and forces a conversation…as well as the expectation before they use an app rather than being reactive when it’s often too late.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR TOUGH CONVERSATIONS
Sometimes changing our perspective can also change our approach. Technology can be really intimidating or even a little scary, but it’s important as parents that we focus less on the technology and more on the teaching opportunity. We can use technology as a catalyst to have conversations with our teenagers about issues such as sex, dating, pornography, bullying, peer pressure, etc. We can use technology to teach them practical ways to apply Biblical truth to their lives.
Please read and follow the directions in the forum below…