{"id":1022,"date":"2011-07-19T01:00:11","date_gmt":"2011-07-19T08:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=1022"},"modified":"2011-07-13T14:06:45","modified_gmt":"2011-07-13T21:06:45","slug":"teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>&#8220;The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.&#8221; (Proverbs 22:3)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Last week I told you about <a href=\"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/12\/the-summer-we-turned-off-the-computer\/\">the summer my parents turned off our computer<\/a>. Computer time was becoming too important, but once we got off the computer for a few hours, we remembered how fun it was to be active and creative again!<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t get me wrong; technology is not a bad thing. <strong>Computers, smart phones, and the Internet are all tools that we can use\u2014either for sin, or for righteousness. <\/strong>Are we deliberately using technology in ways that glorify God? Are we teaching our children to do the same?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1028\" title=\"child-using-computer\" src=\"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/child-using-computer.jpg\" alt=\"Child using computer\" width=\"600\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/child-using-computer.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/child-using-computer-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Here are some practical ideas for teaching your children to use technology wisely, and for avoiding problems with computers, TV, and the Internet:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Have a regular family worship and Bible reading time. Don\u2019t allow computer or TV to become more important in your schedule.<\/li>\n<li>Teach your children self-control from an early age, and as they  grow  (in all areas; not just computers). Strict rules might prevent some  problems now, but without  self-control, they can easily fall into the  same problems once they grow  up and move away.<\/li>\n<li>If you need a break during the day, try having your children take  naps,  read books, play quietly in their room, or watch an edifying  video  instead of sitting in front of the TV or computer.<\/li>\n<li>Emphasize that the computer is a  tool, not a toy. Have specific goals when you sit down to the computer. When using it for recreation or entertainment, set a time limit. If you use the computer as a tool in your  homeschooling, be sure you  always define a specific purpose and limited  time frame for using it.<\/li>\n<li>Encourage creative play, and don\u2019t resent the resulting mess or   noise. Creative play may be messier or more inconvenient, but it\u2019s   better for your kids than being quietly glued to a screen for hours. Be   willing to invest some of your time watching them, helping them clean   up, or putting on band-aids. Looking back, I realize that both of my   parents put up with a lot of messes while encouraging our creativity.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" title=\"pirates\" src=\"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/pirates.jpg\" alt=\"Boys playing outside\" width=\"350\" height=\"387\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Give  your children the tools for creativity. The possibilities are  endless,  but you can start with things like dress up clothes, building  toys,  tools, dolls, art supplies, etc. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.visionforum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">(Vision Forum<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.timberdoodle.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Timberdoodle<\/a> offer some great creative toys). We had hours of fun building   forts out of a dozen hay bales my dad brought home and put in our   backyard one summer.<\/li>\n<li>Have an \u201cinternet hour\u201d during the day, and turn off your computer  or internet connection for the rest of the day. My in-laws programmed  their internet connection to turn off automatically at 8:00 so they can  have family time.<\/li>\n<li>Use laptop computers, and store them away when not in use, or only  have your desktop on for certain hours of the day. I don\u2019t know about  you, but when I have a desktop computer running 24-7, it\u2019s very easy to  sit down and squander my time! Katelyn and I decided not to have a  desktop computer at home. We use a laptop, only turning it on when we  need it for a specific purpose. This has definitely helped us!<\/li>\n<li>Hold each other accountable. Ask your children what they did on the Internet today. Some families use accountability software like <a href=\"http:\/\/accountable2you.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Accountable2You<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.covenanteyes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Covenant Eyes<\/a> (which also has a content filter).<\/li>\n<li>Establish a family \u201cmovie night\u201d where you select a worthwhile movie  and watch it together, along with pizza or some other special meal.  Then leave the TV off the rest of the week. TV and computer games too  easily cause isolation and prevent family time together.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate movies and TV shows, and avoid those that are not edifying.  Ask \u201cwhat will we learn from this movie?\u201d or \u201cwhat effect will this  show have on my family?\u201d Read reviews by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldmag.com\/nowshowing\/\" target=\"_blank\">World Magazine<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.movieguide.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Movieguide.org<\/a>,  or <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Wikipedia<\/a> before watching.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss movies as a family after you watch them. Don\u2019t miss this  great opportunity to point out Biblical principles at play. Ask  questions like \u201cWas that the right thing for him to do?\u201d \u201cWhat does the  Bible say about that?\u201d and \u201cWhat should he have done in that situation?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t let the TV dictate your schedule. If there is a show you want  to see, watch it online or record it for watching at a time that fits  around your higher priorities.<\/li>\n<li>If you have older children , or if your children are using the internet, you might enjoy one of the workshops that was given at our homeschool conference here in Portland last month. David Knopp&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oceanetwork.org\/tapes\/detail.cfm?id=638\" target=\"_blank\">My Dog Ate My Profile Pic (and other excuses for using the Internet responsibly)<\/a> is available on CD\u00a0 from OCEANetwork&#8217;s website for $5.50 (a worthwhile investment!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With technology advancing so quickly, parenting in the context of computers other technology will likely be <strong>more challenging<\/strong> for you and me than it was for our parents. But be encouraged! By God\u2019s grace, and with some  diligence and creativity on our part, our    children can still grow up to be  self-controlled, productive adults who use    technology wisely in the  service of Christ, our King.<\/p>\n<p>Do you have other ideas for using technology wisely in your home? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"rtsocial-container rtsocial-container-align-left rtsocial-icon\"><div class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon \"> <div class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon-button\"><a title=\"Share: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.doorposts.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fteaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely%2F\" target= \"_blank\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon\"> <div class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon-button\"><a title=\"Tweet: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon-link\" href= \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Teaching%20Children%20to%20Use%20Computers%2C%20Internet%2C%20and%20TV%20Wisely&via=@doorposts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.doorposts.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fteaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely%2F\" target= \"_blank\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon\"> <div class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon-button\"><a class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon-link\" href= \"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/&media=https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/rtsocial\/images\/default-pinterest.png&description=Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" target= \"_blank\" title=\"Pin: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"perma-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/\" title=\"Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\"><\/a><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rts_id\" class=\"rts_id\" value=\"1022\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"rts_media_nonce\" name=\"rts_media_nonce\" value=\"5bb8f61d22\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1022\" \/><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.&#8221; (Proverbs 22:3) Last week I told you about the summer my parents turned off our computer. Computer time was becoming too important, but once we got off the computer for a few hours, we remembered how fun it was to be active and creative again! Don&#8217;t get me wrong; technology is not a bad [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"rtsocial-container rtsocial-container-align-left rtsocial-icon\"><div class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon \"> <div class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon-button\"><a title=\"Share: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" class=\"rtsocial-fb-icon-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.doorposts.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fteaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely%2F\" target= \"_blank\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon\"> <div class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon-button\"><a title=\"Tweet: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" class=\"rtsocial-twitter-icon-link\" href= \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Teaching%20Children%20to%20Use%20Computers%2C%20Internet%2C%20and%20TV%20Wisely&via=@doorposts&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.doorposts.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F19%2Fteaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely%2F\" target= \"_blank\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon\"> <div class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon-button\"><a class=\"rtsocial-pinterest-icon-link\" href= \"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/&media=https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/rtsocial\/images\/default-pinterest.png&description=Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" target= \"_blank\" title=\"Pin: Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"perma-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/\" title=\"Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\"><\/a><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"rts_id\" class=\"rts_id\" value=\"1022\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"rts_media_nonce\" name=\"rts_media_nonce\" value=\"5bb8f61d22\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1022\" \/><\/div><a role=\"link\" class=\"rtp-readmore\" title=\"Read more on Teaching Children to Use Computers, Internet, and TV Wisely\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/19\/teaching-children-to-use-computers-and-tv-wisely\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More \u2192<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9,50,27,8,7,16],"tags":[76,87,85,86],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1022"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1022"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1030,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1022\/revisions\/1030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}