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In today’s world, we and our children are bombarded by screens. Eliza Huie shows us how we can raise kids in a screen saturated world. She also reveals what the real enemy is – and it’s not technology

Show Highlights

Eliza is the Director of Counseling at McLean Bible Church in Virginia and the Dean of Biblical Counseling at Metro Baltimore Seminary. As a licensed counselor with biblical training, she brings expertise to the challenges parents face in a way that emphasizes organic gospel connections. Eliza and her husband Ken raised three children and recently had the joy of adding a daughter-in-law to their family. She is the author of Raising Kids in a Screen-Saturated World, Raising Teens in a Hyper-Sexualized World, and The Whole Life 52-Weeks of Biblical Self-Care available summer 2021.

Most of us parents right now are not digital natives. We didn’t grow up with screens everywhere, so we need a little guidance on how to navigate technology in our homes.

Now it’s common for a kid to have more than one gadget! Because of the COVID situation right now, their world is surrounded by screens from schooling to socialization. Eliza says, parents need to realize that this is a season and it’s not always going to be like this.

It’s just the reality that screens are a necessity in your kid’s life right now, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still exercise healthy habits and parameters when it comes to using them. Too much can lead to feelings of disconnection from our family and children.

Eliza reminds parents, not all screen time is created equal. If your child has to be online on a Zoom class, that doesn’t count as leisure screen time. Sometimes your kids really need to connect with their friends online. But, when you notice them getting screen fatigue – headaches, eye strain, difficulty sleeping – you might need to regulate even their necessary screen time.

Model digital discipline and courtesy. Even if we are all working from home, on our computers, try your best to be available for face to face interaction when your kids are in the room. Let them see that you put your phone away and you have your own limits when it comes to using tech.

Before you hand over a new device to your child, have three important conversations: set the parameters and the conditions around it, like appropriate times and places to use it; talk to them about confidentiality; have the conversation about cost – even if it’s a gift. Help them budget their data and the time they spend online. It’s important your kids know that having a device is a privilege, not an entitlement.

The devices and screens are not the enemy. Eliza says, the enemy is the enemy of our souls. Don’t look at screens as evil, rather think of how you can use them in a positive way that promotes good in your family.

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