Tech Impact Edited
===
[00:00:00] How many times have you called for your child to do something, only to check in a bit later and realize they never heard a word you said because they were locked in on a screen? Or maybe you get lucky and you're met with a delayed, distracted response. Does that sound familiar? It's a scenario that's playing out in countless homes today, and it got me thinking about how technology is shaping our children's lives.
Do you want to create peace in your home and be the best parent you possibly can be? Are you ready to feel confident and clear in your decisions? Do you wish you could navigate conflicts and challenges calmly and effectively? Well, there's a way to overcome the roadblocks that are standing between you and the family life you've prayed for, so that you can create consistent routines, find fulfillment and balance, and thrive in your life and family.
Hi friends, I'm Katy Bordeaux, host of Raising Faithful Families, founder of Covenant [00:01:00] Collections Christian Parenting Company, and a certified parenting and family coach. In this podcast, I'll guide you on how to find balance and fulfillment without adding stress or sacrificing precious time, create peace in your home, become the parent God has called you to be, strengthen your connection with God and with your family, navigate life using biblical wisdom and Christian values.
And experience growth spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and practically as a parent and as an individual. I'm here to help your family be its best for each other so that you can be your best for the kingdom of God. It's time to create a home filled with love, faith, and true joy. Let's thrive together with God at the center every step of the way.
I pray this blesses you. Let's get started.
Everywhere you look, kids seem to be consumed by screens. On car rides, each child has a device in their hand. At restaurants, screens have replaced [00:02:00] family conversations. Evenings and summer breaks are often spent in front of the TV all day. Kids as young as preschool are scrolling through TikTok accounts.
And by the third grade, many are asking their parents if they can create their own YouTube channel. Our preteens and teens often equate their self worth with the number of followers they have on social media. Keeping them from creating secret public accounts can become a full time job. Some parents recognize how out of control the situation has become, but feel like it's just too far gone.
Others hold the reins extremely tight, often unaware of their kid's Finsta and spam account. And then there's the vast spectrum of families somewhere in between. Personally, I consider myself pretty intentional with technology, and yet the most effective consequence for my child right now is still connected to a loss of technology privileges.
That's what [00:03:00] he wants to lose the least. And extra screen time is a huge huge motivator for him as well. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, it's impossible to claim that technology has no impact on your children today. So let's dive into the real effects of technology on our kids and what we as parents need to be aware of.
It's no secret that technology has become a very integral and important part of our lives, and its presence in our Children's lives is more pronounced than ever. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average child actually spends over seven hours a day on screens. Now, that may be weekends or summers, but it's still important to note what could the implications of that be?
And the answer is that it's A lot of times excessive screen time is linked to numerous physical health issues, like poor sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, even obesity. The [00:04:00] blue light that's emitted from screens can interfere with their sleep patterns and make it harder for your child to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Also, the sedentary nature of most screen use contributes to a lack of physical activity, which is important for healthy growth and development. It also has a psychological impact. Studies have shown that prolonged screen use can reduce attention spans, increase anxiety, and contribute to addictive behaviors.
Social media in particular has been linked to feelings of inadequacy and depression in teenagers. The constant comparison to others seemingly perfect lives can take a toll on a child's self esteem and their overall mental well being. The ability to communicate face to face is also a crucial skill that children are missing out on when they have too much screen time.
The art of conversation, reading body language, and developing empathy are all at risk. [00:05:00] Children who spend more time interacting with screens than with people face to face may struggle with social interactions and building meaningful relationships. To put a personal touch on some of these statistics, let's pop to other parents who have similar concerns.
We have Jane. Jane noticed that her once active son now prefers video games over playing outside. That's pretty common nowadays. It's like pulling teeth to get him to do anything else, she said. Jane's story is not unique. Many parents find it very challenging to compete with the instant gratification that technology can offer.
And then we have Charlie. Charlie observed that his daughter was becoming more and more irritable and withdrawn after hours of being on social media. She used to be so bubbly, but now she's constantly checking her phone and she seems anxious is what he said. The impact of social media on our children's mental health is a growing concern [00:06:00] among many parents.
Now, if we listen to our children, we may hear a mixture of feelings. They're not totally unaware of this. I like playing video games, but sometimes I feel tired and I don't want to do anything else. One child admitted to that. Another mentioned that they feel anxious about missing out on online interactions.
Their friends were known to keep tabs on how long they were left on delivered, and it was something their friends would actually get upset with them for. These insights from kids help highlight the complex relationship that they're developing as they grow up with technology. Now, how can we tell if your child is being negatively affected by their screen time?
Some signs to watch out for are withdrawal from family activities, So does your child prefer screen time over spending time with the family to the point of dreading one and only looking forward to the other? Are there noticeable changes in your child's mood such as increased [00:07:00] irritability or frustration that you may have noticed has a link to the time they spend on technology?
Has there been a drop in their grades or a lack of interest in their schoolwork? Is homework a daily battle that they rush through just to get to their screen time? Does your child complain of headaches or eye discomfort after they've been on a screen? Is your child more tired than usual, possibly due to poor sleep patterns?
And has your child become less active and more sedentary? Has your child shown signs of anxiety or depression specifically after using social media? Does your child struggle with face to face communication or with building relationships? Does your child find it hard to entertain themselves if they don't have a screen?
Is everything except for technology the most boring thing in the world? The key to managing technology's impact is largely related to balance and boundaries. [00:08:00] Technology isn't inherently bad. This is not a technology hate piece, but moderation and mindful usage are very important. So here's how you can start addressing the issue.
First, you want to set clear boundaries. Specific times for screen use are very helpful and then stick to those boundaries. You can encourage activities that don't involve screens like reading, playing outside, engaging in hobbies, playing with their toys. Children often mimic their parents behavior, so the second most important thing you can do is model healthy habits for them.
Show them the importance of unplugging by setting that example. Limit your own screen time and engage in family activities that don't involve technology. It's not going to be very helpful for them if you're constantly on them for their screen time while you scroll social media for hours. Then you can also create tech free zones in your house.
This is where you designate certain areas of your [00:09:00] home, such as like your dining room or bedrooms, as tech free zones. This is to encourage family interaction and better sleep habits. You can also encourage open communication. You should be talking to your kids about the effects of technology and the importance of balancing screen times with other activities.
Listen to their concerns and try to work together to find solutions because like we noted earlier, they're not clueless to this and if you include them in it and you don't vilify something that's super important to them, you may be surprised by how willing they are to work with you on it. And you have to monitor and guide, keep an eye on their screen, use guide them towards age appropriate content, and just be aware of what apps and websites they're using, what types of people they're talking to, and always discuss the potential risks with them.
Now, while this episode aims to bring awareness to the issue, [00:10:00] I know that a lot of you are looking for practical step by step solutions, so I did create a Keeping Kids Busy Without Screens workshop. This workshop provides actionable strategies to help you manage screen time effectively and maximize faith, Through spiritual engagement.
So you'll find that super helpful. Join us in the workshop to take the first step towards a healthier balance for your family. That's a covenant collections. com slash tech workshop. And I'll also link it for you. So I hope this has been helpful. I want to work together with you to ensure that our children grow up healthy, happy, and engaged with the world around them.
I hope you found this episode valuable friend and I pray that you're walking away with a new insight perspective or idea to implement Remember that God gives you everything you'll ever need to thrive And I appreciate that you've taken the time to spend here with us today If you enjoy our podcast, please subscribe so you never miss an episode And if you wouldn't mind just take [00:11:00] 30 seconds to leave a review So that we can continue to reach more parents like us.
I would appreciate that so much So, so much. Reach out if there's any way I can support you. And I'll talk to you soon. Thanks for listening.
