Teens and Tech . . .

"Idle hands are the Devil's workshop" – there is a lot packed into this old saying. Now, throw in an extended Spring Break and Social Distancing and conscientious parents should be on high alert!

This can be a great time of growth for our teens, but there are also some inherent dangers. God calls all Christians to be discerning, but discernment is not always intuitive for our teens, it falls to those who love them most to give them guidance, protection, and boundaries to naviagte the Media Minefield!

1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 reminds us to "test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."We need media standards that line up with the scriptures:

• I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. (Psalm 101:3) • Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1) • And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) How can you be renewing a mind that is continuously "seeing" sin?

Try the Phil48 Test – Read and apply this verse to TV, movies, computers, books, and music.

• Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8) Are you bold enough to have an honest discussion about this with your children?

Ephesians 5:1-4 gives us some things that we need to avoid, but it sounds like a description of a modern-day sitcom . . .

• Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:1-4, NASB95)

Let me share some PRACTICAL, SIMPLE ways that you can guide your teens through the Minefield of Media

• There are several filtering and monitoring solutions out there; I recommend Disney's "Circle Home Plus" it is straightforward to use and allows you to monitor at home and on the go.

"Circle lets us manage and set time limits for popular sites and platforms, such as Facebook, Fortnite, Instagram, Netflix, Snapchat, YouTube, and more for all of our children. With their many different ages this has been very helpful to know at a moment's glance who is on what and when. My android phone is the control center for keeping tabs on all my crew, it puts our minds at ease knowing when and where our kids are when their online. Thanks to Circle Home Plus." – Online Review

Circle Home Plus is $129 for an annual subscription (there is also a lifetime rate!) Find more info at https://meetcircle.com/ and get 10% off when you enter the code SCREENTIME10 at checkout.

This link will help you get things set up and understand your device and accompanying app better https://meetcircle.com/get-started

• Check out this Tech Guide from Focus – I would remind you not to overreact but don't fail to act either! https://pluggedin.focusonthefamily.com/tech-guide/ Talk to your teens and get their perspective as well. If you have any questions about a particular app, filtering, guidelines, etc. don't hesitate to call your youth leader to talk!

A couple more resources for you as you navigate the Media Minefield: • VidAngel allows the user to skip distasteful content based on user preferences – it can connect right to your Netlfix & Prim accounts. They also have some good content of their own, and they're offering a free membership until the 30th! This includes unlimited filters, and access to Dry Bar Comedy (which my boys love!) from now until March 30. To sign up, simply click the link below. No credit card info required. https://www.vidangel.com/

• Pureflix is another good resource for faith and family originals, movies, TV shows, and documentaries and they offer a free trial: https://www.pureflix.com/

It takes time and effort, but you CAN help your children navigate the Minefield as they "flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" - 2 Timothy 2:22

Your church is here to help!

#TeensTech #Purity #Media