'Alienation due to our inability to communicate effectively with one another.'
Whoa! Does that sound vaguely familiar? Aren't psychologists and educators today saying that the social media phenomenon, video games, and cell phones have done just that? Are we not so tied to our phones and ipads and computers that they have replaced a good old fashioned one on one conversation. I myself have been known to spend (waste) an hour or more at a time flying through social media to find out what's going on in people's lives. But, is that really the whole story on their lives? I would be willing to bet - not!
Is there a place and/or use for social media, of course. Sharing exciting news, sending invitations, building a business and perhaps sharing some vacation pics are all excellent uses for social media. Should kids be allowed to have fun playing video games and watching TV, sure. However, these activities should never replace communicating with people one on one. And all too often it does. "Kids are spending an average of more than 7 1/2 hours a day using electronic media, which includes TV, the Internet, video games, and mobile devices, according to a 2010 report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation."(Quoted from Very Well Family) I would suggest that this is causing a breakdown in the relationship building process. People are meant to be in community - real-life community - not just a digital community.
Jesus gave us a good example of how life is meant to be lived in community. Seriously, He talked to everyone and He listened. Really listened. He asked tough questions. He gave straight answers. And He made people feel loved, accepted and well...important. That's what being in community is all about. We get to know - really know - people...not just the good stuff that gets posted but the bad and the ugly and the truth of it all.
Think about it, when you are perusing social media, there is no conversation, no communication - just silence, unless of course, you see something funny, then you might hear yourself laugh. But, there is no one to laugh with you. Just silence.
The sound of silence can be lonely. The sound of silence can be frightening. In the silence there is room for your mind to compare, judge, feel jealous, resentful, fearful and so many other emotions that are not from God.
So, we have established previously that there are a place and use for social media and cell phones, as well as a time and place for kids to play video games or watch TV. However, I would propose that we be smart about it. Set limits and practice what we preach.
Here are a couple suggestions to help us all make the right choices and decisions when we are using our electronic devices:
1. Be disciplined about how much time you spend on social media or using electronic devices (your kids are watching you)
2. Set clear hard boundaries on how much time you allow your kids to spend on social media or using electronic devices (including watching TV) - # of hours per day, only on the weekend, only certain shows, etc.
3. If a real live person comes home or enters the room - they come first - put the device away
4. Make a plan for those times when there is nothing to do. Instead of going for the X-box, play family board games, here's a novel idea (no pun intended) have a family reading time every day - your kid's teachers will thank you!
5. Don't be afraid to just turn off the TV, gather all electronic devices in a basket and go cold turkey for a night and just talk. (Warning: It might take a while to get the hang of this but it is so worth it!)
Think about how the sound of silence might be influencing you and your family, and give this a try.
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