Sane Parenting in Insane Times: Parents, Turn Off the News (Responsibly)

In this episode of our technology series, Cameron and Anna discuss the enormous amount of time teenagers (and often, their parents) spend in front of screens on a daily basis. We find that Scripture has a lot to say about "numbering our days [so} that we may get a heart of wisdom" concerning how we spend the time God has given us.

"We need to be really careful not to send the message that doing schoolwork or being productive are the only ways to honor God with your time."

References:

Ephesians 5:15-17

Colossians 4:5

Psalm 90:12

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

Philippians 4:8

Psalm 101:2

Matthew 5:29
 

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In this episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Cameron and Anna tackle a tough topic: the unjust conduct of social media giants like Meta, TikTok, and Pornhub, who knowingly prey on preteens and teens with the intent to create addicts. Much like the tobacco industry, these companies exploit the vulnerability of children and young adults for profit, despite overwhelming evidence of harm to younger users. God cares deeply about the protection of the vulnerable, so be encouraged that while you may frustrate your child with protective measures, you are actually doing God's work.

 "If you see exploitation of the vulnerable, then you need to stand between that person and their oppressor."

Resources:

• Zechariah 7:9-10
• Malachi 3:5
• Isaiah 1:17
• The Social Dilemma
• Join us at the next Rooted Conference! 

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Human beings live perpetually aware of their shortcomings, so we are always seeking to justify ourselves by some demonstration of "enoughness." In this episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Cameron and Anna talk about how we use social media filters as self-justification tools, and how we can teach our kids that the gospel answers our nagging sense of inadequacy. 

Resources:

• Psalm 139: 13-15
• Galatians 2:10-21
• Order Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today! 

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Instagram is unparalleled in its capacity to stir up envy within us; and envy is unparalleled in its power to destroy relationships. In this episode, Cameron and Anna uncover the backbone of envy and talk about the truths from God's word that provide the corrective for our jealousy and covetousness. 

Resources:

The Agony of Instagram by Alex Williams

The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World by Melissa Kruger

The Problem of Demandingness by Larry Crabb

Scriptures:

• Cain and Abel (Gen 4)
• Jacon and Esau (Gen 27-29)
• Saul and David (1 Samuel 18-31)
• Joseph and His Brothers (Gen 37)
• Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num. 16)

The Backbone of Envy:

• Not recognizing and being grateful for what you have.
• Believing God is holding out on you.
• Believing that getting what you want will make you happy.
• Demandingness- wanting what you want RIGHT NOW!
• Not desiring good things to happen to other people.
• Not trusting in God's providence.

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If there's one thing Christian parents know, it's that walking with Jesus will put us in conflict with the dominant culture. In this episode, Cameron and Anna discuss the difficulty and the imperative of raising children who are willing to be different from their peers, for God's glory and their own thriving.

"But when we live Christian lives, we are swimming against the stream of popular culture, because Christ Himself was counter cultural. To follow Christ is to be against the stream, but fully alive." G.K. Chesterton

Resources:

Exodus 19:5-6

1 Peter 2:9-12

Galatians 5:16-17

Instagram Addicted Your Teenager Because She's Worth $270 to Them by Chris Martin, Termsofservice.com.

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In this episode of our technology series, Cameron and Anna examine the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke's gospel. When we lead our children to understand that their audience is a good God who loves them and finds them flawless in Christ, they will begin to break free from needing to perform for other people and find rest under the smile of their heavenly Father.

"Measuring up to the standard does not come through effort or performance, but instead it comes through grace."

Resources:

Luke 18:9-14

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The longing for secure belonging is part of being human, but the longing can be particularly acute for teenagers. In this episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Cameron and Anna discuss how this longing feeds into our children's participation on social media platforms. 

"So much of the tension and the anxiety that involves social media and technology and kids has to do with this developmental, human reality. It's particularly amplified at the middle school age." 

Resources:

The Inner Ring by CS Lewis

Ephesians 2:11-22

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis: When your daughter feels surrounded… yet alone

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In this episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, Cameron and Anna discuss the God-ordained goodness of our bodies. Since the early days of the church, Christians have fought the Greek teaching that matter and the body are bad, and we must escape the physical world. Through the Incarnation of Jesus and the goodness of God's creation, we know that God intends for us to embrace our embodied humanity. To the extent that social media allows us to resist the physical world, we must help our teenagers pursue in-person community and face-to-face relationships.

"Sin creates an adversarial relationship between us and the physical world." 

Resources:

Join us for Rooted 2023!

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1 John 1: 1-4

Luke 24:36-43

Hebrews 10:24-25

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Continuing the conversation about viewing technology through the lens of biblical discipleship, Cameron and Anna encourage parents to communicate gently with their children on the topic of technology. Listening well and asking good questions may not make your child feel better about your rules, but these things do dignify the image of God in your child. 

"The number one developmental question that an early adolescent has is this: where do I fit in the group? The deepest darkest fear of a middle schooler is being left out."

Resources:

Mark 2

John 11

Is It Time for a Phone? Practical Guidance for Parents of New Smartphone Users

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In the first episode of our new season, Cameron and Anna will talk about what it looks like to have a discipleship mindset regarding our kids and technology. Our desire as parents is to raise children who love Jesus and have their own relationship with him. With Scripture as our guide, we can teach our children to handle technological tools with godly wisdom, to be faithful to God's Word when they are outside of our homes.

"The reality is your child is going to go out in the real world, and they are going to have their own phone, and they aren't going to have a parent to monitor or filter the internet."

Resources:

Matthew 15:10-28

Recorded podcast with Sarah Zylstra Scrolling Alone: How Instagram Is Making a Generation of Girls Lonely, Anxious, and Sad

Please see also our resources tab for Rooted articles on technology and social media.

Is It Time for a Phone? Practical Guidance for Parents of New Smartphone Users

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