OUR 200TH EPISODE!!!!
Helping our kids manage their digital devices has become a major part of parenting. We asked our friends from the Brave Parenting podcast to help us navigate this challenge.
Kelly Newcom and Chelsea Hezel, hosts of the Brave Parenting Podcast, joined us to talk about a Christian perspective on technology. At Brave Parenting, Kelly and Chelsea link arms with a network of brave parents who empower & equip others to intentionally develop & train children to have strong character & integrity.
How do you help Christian parents engage with technology?
Every Christian is called to be a witness for Christ and to be involved in discipleship
Discipleship begins at home…in other words, do our children see us more on social media than in our Bibles?
Christians have conformed to the convenience of media and technology
Neglect of discipleship in the home has led to media and big tech filling the void with “Christian” games, meditation & prayer apps, and other questionable content
Is there a difference between how adults and children should interact with technology?
Children need help with discipline & boundaries; brains are not fully developed until 20s
Adults can/should use technology as a tool, but not necessarily as a toy; children do NOT need to use technology as a tool, so then it becomes a source of entertainment and a toy
Parents don’t want to change their own technology use and will then give children access to the same devices to pacify them
Getting harder for adults (and definitely children!) to distinguish between reality and AI/fake media
What is the impact of technology on children?
Impacts have been well-documented by research: increased impulsivity, decreased self-control and attention, emotional disregulation, lack of sleep
BUT, this is not changing behavior with technology because PARENTS are addicted to the screen and are not implementing limitations!
Children’s developmental growth is being harmed; lack of attachment and bonding
Screen Time Recommendations:
American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation is a limit of 2 hours per day; BUT, the average screen time use of children ages 11-18 ranges from 7.5 to 9 hours per day
“Screen time” = personal 1:1 time with a device (eg gaming, streaming, edu-tainment, etc)
Gaming, YouTube shapes hearts and dependency with algorithms, autoplay, reward mechanisms
Brain development is affected with constant need for dopamine hit with gaming rewards & social media likes/comments
Content does matter (educational vs entertainment), BUT just because an app or game is labeled as “Christian”, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is
Electronic devices change the brain & causes children to learn differently
Discipleship should be interactive and is more beneficial when it includes physical books, writing, and real-life experiences/interactive learning
DELAY and LIMIT screens as much as possible; set a SPECIFIC GOAL and COMMIT!
As Christians, it’s okay to be different and courageous and build resilience in our children!
Resources:
Check out Kelly Newcom's book and brand new study guide/curriculum that is perfect to use within your small group community: Managing Media Creating Character:
Book clubs are starting soon! We have 3 book selections this spring and the groups will start the week of March 17th. Get all the info and register here:
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Tonight's show is brought to you by the Center for Biblical Unity and Theology Mom podcast.
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