Parenting Teenagers: Teens and Tech

Barna, the research giant, recently reported that average American teens receive their first smartphone at around 12 to 13 years of age and their first tablet around age 11.  

It turns out that teenagers have mixed feelings about the predominance of technology in their lives -- perhaps we all do. High percentages of teenagers believe that tech makes their lives easier and offers connection to friends and family. But at the same time they also worry that their devices are harming their ability to connect to others and making them even more bored than they were without the device.

The premise of social media is that it connects us, and it does to a point. However, teenagers--some of the heaviest users of social media--have begun to worry that technology is actually coming between people. Data show that nearly seven in 10 teens (68%) agree that devices keep them from having real conversations, and a third (32%) says devices sometimes separate them from other people. 

Perhaps the on-demand entertainment in their pockets is too powerful. When Barna asked how technology makes 13–21-year olds’ lives harder, top answers related to productivity, with over half of teens stating issues like wasting time (54%), procrastinating on work (53%) and being generally distracted (50%). Nearly two in five respondents (37%) admit they get bored easily when they are not online.

When asked about tech activities versus real-world activities, teens prefer real-life experiences such as talking to friends in-person, going outside in nice weather and spending time with family. However, as the chart below shows, preferences don’t always translate into reality. Though teens largely prefer in-person to online activities, they admit to often spending more time in the digital realm than in the real world. While they wish they could engage with the real world, their devices usually win.

While teens aren’t known for their love of discipline, when it comes to devices, they’re largely in favor of having restrictions. Over three in 10 teens (43% of those 13-15 years old, 32% of those 16-18 years old) have had their parents set restrictions on tech—typically on what they can view and on hours of screen time—and over four in five (83%) say they felt their parents’ rules were “about right.”

Teens do in fact hunger for guidance and wise decisions around tech. Some practical advice for starters includes: moving devices out of bedrooms, setting device-free dinner times and taking breaks from tech altogether (e.g. no tech days). 

Topic to Ponder: We all use and benefit from tech in varying ways and to varying degrees. Sometimes even though we see the negative side of it, we still struggle in breaking away. In some cases, tech becomes an addiction that consumes an inordinate amount of time and energy and can become the driving force in our lives. 

How do I achieve tech-balance in my life? How do I balance using this tremendous gift from God, but still make sure it is serving me while I am serving God, rather than being controlled by it? How do we provide balance for our children, train them to maintain responsible balance on their own? 

Do you have more topics to ponder?  Share!

Source Article: https://www.barna.com/research/teens-devices-connection/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Barna+Update%3A+U+S++Teens+Worry+Devices+Are+Getting+in+the+Way+of+Real+Connection&utm_campaign=2020-11-18_MTWL+launch_BU

Why Vine 'n Shoots?

Greetings and welcome to this new blog.

I will be learning along the way so if you are an experienced blogger, please bear with me patiently.

The focus of this blog is to share information and thoughts from a biblical perspective on topics that relate to marriage and parenting. 

God's Word has a great deal to say concerning both of these areas of life. One such place is Psalm 128:3, "Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table." The title of this blog, "Vine 'n Shoots," is drawn from this passage.

Periodically, insights and information on either/both of these topics come across my desk. When these seem generally helpful, I will share them. At times, a particular Scripture passage and application will arise in reading, conversation, or study. When that happens I will share them.

I also welcome your thoughts, reactions, contributions to the conversation. Please pass them along.

--Pastor Wayne Eichstadt

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

Spokane Valley, WA