My youngest son is a great kid. He is kind, compassionate, very bright and very talented in many ways. He definitely fights too much with his older sister but this is the way of the species. Siblings fight. I’ve gone through this before with the older ones.
But the phone! This drives me crazy. I feel like a cop trying to keep a tough neighborhood safe. This battle to moderate the amount of time he spends on the phone is a full time job. The average youth today spends nine hours a day on their phone. Nine hours! Can that be? These are the consistent statistics that you read about.
Now don’t turn me off here and flee. I am not some “old school” guy screaming, “This younger generation!” I am trying to find a balance for my son, me and you. How can nine hours of screen time for social or entertainment purposes be good for you? If it’s school work, or work-work I get it. But nine hours of Facebook, Instagram, Facetime, etc. is helping him become a more well-rounded, stronger Christian? I don’t think so.
When people ask me what I do I tell them, “I have an exciting job. I send emails, text messages and make phone calls.”
I understand that the computer and the smartphone are here to stay until the next generation of innovations comes along to replace them (holographs, VR, etc.). But why are we so hooked on these things? Yes, I said hooked. Scientists are now telling us that yes, there is an addictive quality to checking your phone every time it dings or every time you are bored.
I have a challenge for you. At our house, we have adopted Electronics Free Sundays. We cannot use electronics until Sunday evenings. Is it working? It’s a struggle but it’s worth it. I am working on getting my wife onboard with this but the kids are doing it with me but under duress.
Choose your own method for a “Smartphone Free Zone”. God wants us dependent only on Him. Stay away from your phone for at least 8 hours. See how it affects you and then decide if you are a little too dependent on it. Spend the time reading the Bible, going for a walk, taking a nap, meditating, exercising, going out on a date, talking with a friend, etc. You will be amazed by what you learn about yourself and others.