Setting Technology Boundaries
3 occasions when our screen time is too much: 1. Screen time becomes too much when it removes us from the people around us. I can remember being at a party in high school where 20 or so of us were in a room together and at one point every single one of us was on our phones, which took us to a completely different place than where we were. So my question is, "Why bother even being there?" 2. Screen time becomes too much when it replaces the depth of conversation. In a "LOL," "IDK," "IKR," world, our conversations and relationships with people often go about as deep as those acronyms. Along with putting our phones down and just being present where we are, we have to be willing to engage in conversations with those around us like at the dinner table, in school, and at our jobs, even if it's awkward. 3. Screen time becomes too much when it causes FOMO. No, I didn't swear. FOMO means "Fear Of Missing Out." We have so much activity and information that can be accessed through our screens. They tell us what our friend is having for dinner, what the score of the big game is, or who's birthday it is that we forgot about (again). Being without that source of information 24/7 can make us feel like we're missing out on something so we HAVE to have it so we can always know what's going on. So what are some solutions to these problems? 1. Model it. It’s hard to enforce screen time rules when you don’t have any for yourself. If you’re constantly binging on Netflix or Hulu in front of the kids, then it’s much more difficult to preach about screen time balance. Give yourself certain parameters—like no screen time in bed or after a certain time of day—and then stick to it. 2. Replace it. It's really hard to stop something cold turkey if you have nothing to have something fill the time of the thing you just eliminated. If you are choosing specific times to eliminate screen time, then put something else in it's place like a family game night or activity where you can be together and talk as a family. Deuteronomy 6 emphasizes that we need to be talking about God's Word whenever and wherever we go. Creating moments to do this is crucial as we go throughout our busy days and weeks. 3. Talk about it. Set goals for your teen and their screen time. What are they using it for? Ask questions of your teen like, "Who did you encourage on your social media this week?" or "How did you use your screen time to benefit someone else?" Screen time is usually all about what we can consume rather than what we can give. Encourage your teens to use their screen time for others, not just themselves. |
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