5 Ways to Tech-Proof Your Kids - Equipping Men in Ten

  

Moving Tech Target

Everyone has an opinion about how to tech-proof their homes. Some “experts” have no children and are too far removed from reality to offer solid experiential advice. Other (parents) have no standards at all.

Today I want to offer the best advice I’ve found by an expert, parent, and Men in the Arena Podcast guest. Check out my interview with Jasper Hall.

House Rule

I heard a funny story of a mom who rightfully would not allow Rated R movies in the home. Exasperated by this rule, her eight-year-old son argued, “But mom, you use Rated R words all the time!”

A great house rule for the dad who wants to lead his family well is, “If you wouldn’t allow it said in your home, do not allow it on your devices.”

Big Five Ways to Tech-Proof Your Home

1. Educate Yourself

Ask questions. You (or your wife) should understand your household devices such as television monitors, pads, tablets, phones, etc. Watch trends in the tech world to get ahead of the curve.

2. Protect What You Can

Use network controls, device-level controls, monitoring, and filtering controls. Again, be proactive instead of reactive.

3. Manage Screen Time

Take inventory of time spent on devices by all family members. Set healthy and realistic boundaries. Involve your kids in the process. You might be surprised.

4. Schedule Rest

Tech Sabbath rest day. Tech curfew. Tech Basket for meals and family time.

5. Equip to Thrive

Make tech a constant source of family dialogue. Teach your family what the Bible says about allowing garbage into our hearts and minds.

Here are some great places to start:

• “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:9-11

• “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

• “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

• “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