Technology Use

On Friday, I discussed some of the ideas that go into our thinking about how our children use technology in an age where electronic media is all around us.  I said then that I think a lot of how much our children are involved with electronic media comes from what they see their parents use.  One of the comments then posed the question about how you set standards for your children but avoid raising children who act superior to those who choose to use electronics in a different way.  I thought it was a great question and would actually go along with what I wanted to write today about our use of electronic media as adults.

One of the biggest things in the area of electronic media, as well with lots of other topics we have come across as parents, is that for us we consider this a gray area.  We hold the Bible to be our standard for living and in many areas the Bible is silent.  There are certain issues it is pretty clear on (murder, premarital sex, lying, etc.) but other areas where our minds are to be transformed by the word of God to think in such a way that we make good, discerning decisions for our family (Romans 12:1-2).

We have tried to emphasize with the kids when we are making decisions on gray area type things.  The biggest thing for them to understand at this young age is that our personal decisions on these types of matters in no way earns us any favor with God.  It doesn’t make us better than anyone else or anyone else worse than us if they don’t have the same conviction that we do.  We also try to remind ourselves that these areas where we hold things with an open hand may change.  Right now we have convictions on things like how we school the kids, whether we participate in things like Halloween or Santa Clause and whether our whole family travels together overseas for the basketball season.  But since we do not know the future and are not necessarily completely informed in these areas, our convictions may change.

So more than anything for us as adults and the decisions we make for the kids, we want to focus not necessarily on what is just allowed.  We can miss out on much of the Bible when we think God is trying to keep things from us when He gives us rules.  Instead, He is trying to set boundaries so we can have the most joy and happiness in Him.  So that is what our goal is when we try and set standards for how much we want electronic media to be a part of our lives.  Here are some of our thoughts:

1. Is this electronic media keeping me from any of my responsibilities that God has called me to perform?  For example, if I am watching television, on the internet, playing video games and listening to my iPod so much that I am not daily:
– asking my husband how I can serve him and caring for his needs,
– caring for the kids and meeting their needs and some wants,
– caring for the home through cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and doing the laundry,
– feeding myself spiritually through Bible reading and prayer,
– and caring for my body by getting the rest and exercise I need
then I need to take a look at what place electronic media has in my life.

2. Is the electronic media opening any door for sin in my life? There are certain television shows, music, books, etc. that are not wise for me as an individual to read due to the specific struggles with sin that I have in my life. It is good to know our areas of weakness and avoid any media that might fuel that fire for sin.

3. Is the electronic media something that I can live without? We are told in the Bible that we are not to be enslaved by anything:

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12

A good way to see if something has you enslaved is to fast, or take a break from it, for a period. Often our enslavement is exposed when we try to get away from it for awhile. I know for me, the computer is a big draw! It is often hard for me to have the computer off for an extended period of time, so I know I need to do it more often so that I am not finding my joy in of e-mail, internet surfing and/or Facebook.

4. Does the electronic media cause me extra work that I am not willing to take from another area?  We often think about this when we are purchasing something new.  Not only does a new electronic item often take time away from others things, but if often requires maintenance (how many of us have spent hours trying to fix a computer problem?), extra money for problems to be fixed or accessories bought, and effort to upkeep the item.  These are all considerations as well.

5. In what ways can I use this media as a blessing to others?  Is the electronic media I am engaging simply for my own pleasure (I am not saying this is all wrong, we all enjoy some relaxation time) or can it be used as something to bring joy to others as well?

How about you?  How do you define limitations with electronic media and technology in your life?