Guide to Technology

Focus on the Family has developed a free resource for parents entitled A Parent’s Guide to Today’s Technology. The photo above also lists the topics in the resource. Below is the introduction. I would strongly recommend this resource to all of our families. The link to this resource is

http://media.focusonthefamily.com/free-downloads/pdf/TechDownload_redesign-jc.pdf

Everywhere I go I see some sort of technology. It has transformed society, much like the printing press, radio or TV. However, what makes technology unique is that it’s so intertwined in our lives that it’s unavoidable. Technology was supposed to make life easier. More information at our fingertips. More shortcuts to simplify daily routines. But as parents, technology often makes our lives more difficult. Apps, video games and social media can become a time drain for our kids. They also create a direct—and sometimes dangerous—portal to our children. Instead of enhancing our kids’ lives, technology can isolate them and open them up to cyberbullying and risky behaviors. The goal of this resource is to encourage you to stop and think about the technology your family uses. It will also help you understand and navigate the pitfalls of today’s most popular digital platforms and games. Technology will capture our children’s attention. As parents, we need to educate and support them in developing healthy technology habits. God, through His Word, tells us to be attentive, be authentic and pursue unity with one another. That’s great advice on how to live—and how to act in our use of technology.