Flipbooks

National surveys have reported that parents feel they have a harder time raising their children in this generation than their parents had raising them. I'm sure you've heard these statements, or felt this yourself, regardless of the statistics. I'd also imagine that feeling has increased over the last two years as parents have depended on technology to help guide their children through a global pandemic with school closures, remote learning, and increased time away from friends and social activities. In fact, the most cited reason for why parenting feels more difficult is technology. Yet technology has been vital to the wellness of society. Livestreaming, video calls, and remote delivery services have created incredible opportunities for connection, learning, productivity, and safety. Grandchildren can FaceTime grandparents who live in another state, students can learn from peers at sister schools in another country, employees can increase their productivity and work-life satisfaction, and employers can save on overhead costs. With all of these benefits, why would the majority of parents say that technology is making parenting harder? Children model the actions and behaviors of their parents. This is true in all areas of life as kids grow up and learn what it means to live life in this world. That includes how to live digitally. Parents who are on their phones at the dinner table, for example, communicate to kids that it's okay to have devices at the table and that this can even take precedence over interacting with people who are physically in the same space. The same kind of unspoken approval is made when kids watch their parents text and drive, scroll during church, or check their phones in the checkout line. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus taught, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In his Small Catechism explanation of the First Commandment, Martin Luther taught us how easy it is to make something a god. In the same way, what we give our time and attention to reveals our true priorities—things that easily become gods. And these actions shape the rhythms of our lives. So what priorities and actions shape the lives of followers of Jesus? Jesus says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. . . . And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39). As Christians, our lives are marked by humble love for God and joyful service to others. So how can we steward technology in ways that encourage our families to love God and others well? While the answer will vary based on your family's context, it should always include stewarding technology in ways that lead to meaningful conversations, deeper relationships, and increased care for your neighbor—including those living under the same roof. One way to get started is by taking advantage of family moments during family prayers, devotions, mealtimes, or bedtime. Engage your children about their interactions online—and be willing to share about your own. Here are some starter questions: • When I look at your phone, I see a lot of pictures you have taken. What kinds of things have you been doing? • What kinds of things did you see online today? Is there anything that made you feel uncomfort- able? excited? curious? encouraged? • What are your friends posting about? Are they displaying that they are a Christian by their words? Are you? • How would you talk to your classmate about what you saw him or her post online? • Can we pray for your friends who are having troubles? 4 Technology impacts every portion of your life. See how you can balance the intersection of faith and technology from a biblical perspective with Bernard Bull. Find this title and others listed in Lutheran Life at cph.org/llresources. DIGITIZED: SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY Lutheran Life 5

• Cover