Daily devotional, April 3, 2024 Information superhighway
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Isaiah 54:13
Much is being debated about how this generation of children is so anxious and depressed. Experts lay most of the blame on technology, specifically the unrestricted use of social media on children and teens. As moms, much of the burden on ensuring our child’s welfare and mental health is placed on our shoulders.
The Bible offers a plausible solution that requires the strength of heart, mind, and body of parents. Strength of heart because not all parents are okay with seeing their children getting “left out” by their peers by not having access to smartphones and social media. Strength of mind as it requires the will to enforce rules on smartphone use especially on teenagers who may have already been exposed to it. Strength of body so that we as parents will have enough energy and resolve to care for our kids — especially the young ones — spend time with them, and not leave them with their gadgets just so they could keep quiet and allow us to do our thing.
“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”
Proverbs 29:17
In the Old Testament, Moses gave the Israelites instructions on how to raise children who love God. The guide may have been conceptualized thousands of years ago but it can still be applicable to us present-day parents:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:5-7
So how does the above biblical instructions relate to the parenting challenges of today? Well, the above guide from the Book of Deuteronomy gives us the idea of what to aim for as parents.
As leaders of our family, we should at least have an idea on what kind of people we want our children to end up being. Do we want them coveting what they see from others all the time? Do we want them to lead superficial lives? Do we want them seeking acceptance all the time, even from people who are not living out the best values in life? If the answers to the past three questions are a “yes,” then you may be okay with a child’s over exposure to Social Media. But if you are concerned with any of it, then the Bible is the best source of possible solutions to address these issues.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2
The passage above penned by St. Paul the Apostle should at least inspire us parents to not succumb to the pressure of giving smartphones and social media access to our children. There are freedoms our children cannot handle yet and are made available by the above-mentioned technological advancements. Some of these freedoms include having access to pornographic content, abusive language, worldly ideas, and way too much consumerism.
Think of it this way, we would not allow your child to walk on an expressway alone right? So why will we leave our kid to themselves as they explore the information superhighway? The place which gives them access to data that is not yet appropriate to their age?
Besides, if we adults can be addicted to social media, how can a kid or a teenager muster self-control to stop himself from doom scrolling? The buck should stop with us parents, and we have to do what we have been called to do: discipline our children.
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." Hebrews 12:11-13
While preventing children from doing what their peers are busy with sounds harsh and is much like biting a bullet, followers of Jesus like us know that the right path is not always the easiest route to take. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ even tells us that following Him — meaning being godly ourselves and raising godly children — is tantamount to giving up on things we enjoy but is not right for us in the end.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Matthew 16:24
So what can we do as parents to keep our children from suffering from the ills of social media? Well, we can raise them up in the way of the Lord.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
There is no other way but to give them a better alternative to just lazing up on the couch and finding out what other teenagers like them are doing. Yes, it may take up our time and energy as parents but we should recalibrate our motherhood goals. We have to change the current tendencies of children. Instead of being an anxious generation, we should raise an optimistic one. Instead of being depressed, we should make them feel blessed. Instead of allowing them to be covetous, let us give them the chance to be generous.
While it is easier said than done, all these goals are achievable if only we will take the first step. Some of the initial steps we can take include:
1. Exposing them to God’s word: bring them to church and read and reflect on the bible with them, get them to Sunday school.
2. Allow them to socialize with others IRL: Let them socialize with THE RIGHT GROUP OF kids in church. Whose family values are the same as what your family values. If your church has groups for children and teens then allow them to join these social circles and have them participate in the activities.
3. Give them physical activities that would take their mind off-screen: allow them to learn musical instruments if they are interested, let them take up a hobby like baking or have them join sports activities.
4. Be a role model yourself. We have to practice what we preach and show our children we are not dependent (or addicted) to social media. Keep your phone down and talk to them in the house, at the dining table, and while waiting in restaurants or airports. Convince them that face-to-face interaction is much better than the digital kind.
5. Give them a chance to do good. Join mission trips and charitable activities as a family. Encourage your child to care for others too so that he or she would not focus much on herself. Remember, self-focus, envy, and narcissism remain to be a stronghold of the selfie generation.
None of the above suggestions may be easy, but they are not impossible to do. If we want our children to be resilient, then we should bring them up knowing that a nourished relationship with God is far more important than achieving all the success, treasures, and accolades that this world has to offer. That this life does not end in this world because we have an eternity to look forward to, and that is what we have to work on in this lifetime.
"Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 19:14
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Hebrews 12:3-17 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are your children exposed to social media? How do you ensure that they are protected from its ill effects on their mental and spiritual health?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, help me become a more responsible parent so that I can safeguard my children from the hazards of modern-day technology. Empower me to raise godly-children, and give me the strength and confidence to do what it takes to that they grow up to be like you. Amen.