Is Technology our Friend or Enemy?

Is Technology our Friend or Enemy? 

Technology is everywhere. We can’t escape it! We are surrounded! So how do we help children manage their time in front of a screen? How much time should children be allowed to be in front of a screen? And by screen I mean television, video games, smart phones, tablet, IPad, or whatever is next!

So like all things we need limits. I am saying “we” because adults need these limits just as much as kids. So, as an adult or parent we need to set the example.  How much time do we adults spend in front of a screen? 

Yes many of us use a computer for work so does that count? How much time do you spend playing games on Facebook or on your phone? What does this say to the people around you, including your children?

If we don’t want children to spend their whole day in front of a screen then neither should adults. So, kids need to see you doing other things besides sitting in front of a screen. Then you as the adult need to set limits with kids about how much time they spend in front of a screen. Is it a couple of hours after school? Weekends only? Is it based on behavior? Adults need to set the limit and then stick to it! Kids will like anything else push the limit on this. Of course you wouldn’t allow your child to sit and eat candy and junk all day so why would you allow them to sit and play video games all day? Yes it is fun, but there are other fun things to do in life.

Yes technology can be very helpful and useful in education and communication. There are definite positives for things like internet and Facebook. Students can type papers, do research, play educational games, but, everything in moderation! Kids also need to learn to think outside of the screen!

Kids need to learn to use their imagination! They need to learn to play not only with others, but to occupy themselves WITHOUT playing video games. They also need to learn that chores and work are also important and video games are something that is done for a little bit of time. Also, what time at night is your cut off for playing video games? For some kids they have problems winding down their minds at night so playing video games right before bed may not be the best idea.

For some kids if they were allowed to sit and play video games they wouldn’t do anything else. Often times I hear kids say that they are “bored” if they are not sitting in front of some sort of screen. They have not learned to go beyond and entertain themselves in other ways. To me this is very sad because these kids are not using their imagination, their talents, or their intelligence to do something of value. Don’t get me wrong I am sure that on some level video games have some sort of value but so do other things.

Also, as adults are we aware of what games our kids are playing? Are they age appropriate? Are they too violent for their minds? Some games are very scary! Also as adults what games are being played in front of very impressionable young minds? God tells us to guard our hearts, so we as adults need to not only guard our hearts but also the children we have been entrusted with.  What else is your child or teen doing online besides playing games? Are they chatting with people you don’t know? Are they looking at porn? Are they being lured in by a predator who wants to harm your child or teen?

We need to take safety measures for our children. We need to monitor who they are friends with on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other social media. Also, the computer needs to be out in a common area so their activity can be monitored and they are being held accountable.  Also, is your child or teen being bullied online? Are their people on Facebook or some other social media site who is bullying your child for the whole world to see? Who is texting your child or teen? What are they saying to them? Is it safe or not?

Protecting children and teens is our job as adults and with technology it can be a challenge. Adults need to educate themselves on technology to better protect their children. They also need be aware of what their child or teen is doing online and when and for how long. As adults we need to help maintain a child’s innocence as long as possible so they can be kids!