Making friends in an internet age can be tough. Everyone is online (90+% of teens), and more than half of teens say they are online “almost constantly”. So how do we help our children make good friends?
We start by teaching them what it means to be a friend: someone who is of equal value, a priority to you, and real world. Then we look at which tech best supports developing these friends, and which tech simply gives us an area of common interest and convenience, but which also makes us expendable rather than exceptional.
SHOW NOTES
Resources:
96% of teens go online daily. (Pew Research, 2024), https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024/
Nearly half say they’re online “almost constantly” https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024/
https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/apps/whatsapp-app-review-parental-controls
So, what to use in the digital cul de sac?
Minecraft > Roblox
YT > TikTok
Facetime > Snapchat
Want help talking healthy tech? Check out Nathan’s online workshop: Family Tech Framework
Anna’s devotional to help us focus on Christ, not our tech: The Graceful Disconnect (Amazon or Gospelcenteredtech.com)
Nathan’s resource for families to connect the hope of the Gospel to their daily tech lives: Gospel-Centered Tech (Amazon or Gospelcenteredtech.com)
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