Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more
With new technologies come new benefits and new drawbacks. Don't let your kids get addicted to their devices.
Talking Points:
- Addiction in any form is allowing something to be an idol, something that we cherish, treasure, and feel is a significant part of us. These things can be good or bad on the surface, but the Bible is clear that we should not have “idols” or anything in our lives that is more important to us than God.
- Parents need to put boundaries and restrictions in place for the use of media. Setting time limits not only halts overuse, but it helps kids learn to be satisfied with what they are allowed to enjoy.
- Time restrictions encourage children to do other positive activities with their time. Make sure they fill those thirty minutes they used to spend on video games doing another positive activity such as spending time in God’s word or helping a friend. Having another way for them to fill their time can help it seems less like a strict rule and more like learning different ways to use their time.
- Keep things like computers and TVs in the family room or other common areas can help you monitor and be aware of just how much time is being spent with these technologies. Helping children understand that these are activities they do out in the open for fun and not hidden away in their rooms can help them understand these boundaries better.
Talk About It
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever seen or known someone who had a technology addiction? Describe that situation or that person.
- What are some ways to identify technology addiction? How can we start to talk to a child or teen who already has an addiction?
- What are some positive activities that you can offer children instead of screen time?
- Read Romans 12:2. In today’s world of everything seemingly accessible on our mobile devices, how can we avoid being hypocritical when setting time restrictions for children?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Adapted from the FamilyLIfe YouTube channel.
