Parenting is hard. Much harder than you’ll ever imagine. Nobody can tell you how hard it is until you’ve experienced it. And each new generation has its challenges. One of my generations parenting challenges is definitely technology. We are learning more and more about the land minds that smart phones, social media, and gaming devices deposit before our kids every day. Parents must be vigilant to remain on top of this ever changing world. Some of the unexpected lessons we’ve learned over the last few years as parents and as a pastor:

• You can protect kids from internet searches and some harmful websites with filters, but filters have little affect on Social Media sites.
• Snap Chat is bad. Really bad. No child should have access to Snap Chat. Block it!!!
• From a local school principal: “Everything bad at this school – drugs, bullying, and sexting – can be traced back to Snap Chat or Instagram.”
• Instagram has grown more like Snap Chat, allowing anonymous sharing of pics. Monitor it or block it!
• Watch who your kids are following on Instagram. These people are discipling your children and shaping their worldview.
• Gaming devices are not just about playing games anymore. The unfiltered internet, Youtube, and many games offer views of the darkest parts of the fallen world to kids.
• Youtube is a great disciple making tool and mostly for bad. Figure out how to block access to it on gaming devices and smart phones.
• Kids and most adults are not capable of handling the emotional toll that constant connectivity offers us through smart phones and social media.
• Kids get up at night and reconnect with technology after their parents have gone to bed. They struggle to turn it off and stay disconnected. Turn off the internet! Place devices in a secure place. Model and teach the importance of rest from technology.
• Drug dealers are using Snap Chat and Instagram to entice your kids. Yes! Local drug dealers are on Snap Chat and Instagram advertising their services to your kids.
• Sexting is a huge problem for teens and many adults!!! Model and teach the importance of accountability with text messaging.
• Most parents are clueless of how their kids are being affected by technology.

I could probably go on, but we are learning more and more of the potential harmful effects of technology and how to shepherd our kids through these mind fields. I know, I know. There is good that can come from technology too. But parents, lets beware and be aware! And set limits and boundaries on technology use for your kids and for yourself.

Here are some good sources of info for parents that have been helpful to us along our journey of discovery:

• Book: The Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch. This book helped us devise our own Technology guidelines for our home. Great resource.
• Blog: CovenantEyes.com/blog.  Covenant Eyes is a great filtering and accountability tool. The blog offers regular articles that are informative for parents and leaders in setting limits and boundaries. The stories also share reminders of the potential danger of the internet and hope for redemption after inevitable mistakes occur.
• The Axis Culture Translator. This is a weekly email that deposits some good tidbits of info for parents trying to keep up with language and trends impacting our homes.

What are other good resources for families regarding technology? What are lessons you’ve learned so far?