faith BUILDING TIPS

RULE THEIR TECHNOLOGY

Balancing technology and media is a big part of parenting.  Technology gives benefits in communication, safety, education and entertainment, but all those benefits are muddied by easy access to pornography, violence and mature content, not to mention all the time spent on technology.  Research states that children over age 8 average about seven hours a day with media and technology. Parents must become media and technology experts. Things to remember

1.     Know what & where kids are online- do your research as well as LOOK AT THEIR PHONE OR TABLET. 

2.     Place boundaries around technology – when, where and how much kids can have it are a great starting place.   

3.     Model correct practices – evaluate your own relationship with technology

4.     Teach them that not everything is real and true. Kids need to understand that everything they see is not real, can be enhanced, and may not be true. 

RESOURCES FOR How to Handle Technology

THE TECH WISE FAMILY - Reclaim real life in a world of technology. Making good choices about technology in our families is more than just using internet filters and determining screen-time limits for our children. It's about building character, wisdom, and courage


SCREENS & TEENS - Screens and Teens applauds the good aspects of the digital age, but also alerts parents to how technology contributes to self-centered character, negative behaviors, and beliefs that inhibit spiritual growth.


HELPING OUR KIDS MANAGE TECHNOLOGY- Listen to this podcast from Focus on the Family of good guidelines for parents on kids and screens. 

SCREENS & YOUR HEALTH - Looking at technology from a health perspective


PLUGGED IN TECH GUIDE - Resources on the latest apps, videos and articles to help parents set boundaries and be ready to help their child with their technology. 


PLUGGED IN PARENTING- Written for parents of children ages two through teens, Plugged-In Parenting helps parents who want to teach their kids media discernment without alienating them. Cyberbullying, sexting, violent and sexualized content on TV, the Internet, and in music are prevalent today and readily available to kids. How can a parent protect their child? This book shows how to use teachable moments, research and pop culture evidence, Scripture, questions, parental example, and a written family entertainment constitution to uphold biblical standards without damaging the parent-child relationship.


APPS For Kids

BIBLE APP for KIDS - This app has a variety of ways that kids can interact with the Bible as well as parents. 


SUPERBOOK - This app is a media-rich experience that helps bring the Bible to life with videos and images from the SUPERBOOK animation series as well as engaging interactive games.


THE ABIDE APP -Find lots of scripture readings and ways to help your child and you sleep better and stress less with Christ.


GUARDIANS OF ANCORA -  This app is a great game that kids 8 to 11 year-olds can enter, and a place where the Bible stories come alive.  It is more of a game than Bible app but can entertain a child in a safe place where Biblical knowledge can be gained.

additional resources

Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. It provides help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.

Family Life

FamilyLife's mission is to help people change the world one home at a time. Created on the principle that the family provides the foundation for society, the ministry offers a wide range of tools to help families become stronger.

Plugged In

Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live.
Proverbs 31 Ministries

A great resource for ladies to be inspired and encouraged in their faith.

Midnight Mom Devotional 

Devotions for the mom who is up in the middle of the night