How to Keep Technology in It's Place

 What you can do

Establish priorities. The Bible says:  "Make good use of the more important things."  (Philippians 1:10)  Ask yourself,  "Does the time and attention that my spouse and I give to our devices rob us of time and attention that should give each other?

Set limits.  The Bible says: "Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, making the best use of your time." (Ephesians 5:15. 16)  Ask yourself, 'Could I set aside a specific time  to read and respond to non-emergency messages instead of impulsively handling all messages as they arrive?

If possible, leave work at work.  The  Bible says, "There is an appointed time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Ask yourself  these questions: 'Is my job  invading the  privacy of my home by means of my smartphone?  If so, how is this affecting my marriage? What would  my spouse say?

Discuss the use  of technology with your spouse.  The Bible says: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person. (1 Corinthians 10:24) Talk to your spouse about how much  each of you uses technology and what changes, if any, should  be made.  You can use the discussion guide in this article to get started.

The bottom line: Make sure that technology is your servant, not your master.

Next time: How to Keep Technology in It's Place

From the jw.org publications

How to Keep Technology in It's Place

 The use of technology  can either benefit your marriage or undermine it. How is it affecting your marriage? 

What you should know

* The wise use of technology can benefit a marriage.  For example, some husbands and wives use it to keep in touch with each other during the day while they are apart.

* The unwise use of technology can undermine a marriage.  some people use their devises constantly, which diminishes the time and attention they can give to their spouse. .

* Some people say that they can have meaningful discussion with their spouse and use their device at the same time.    According to Sherry  Turkle, that is  "the myth of multi-tasking." Evidently, the so-called ability to multi-task  is not  exactly a virtue.  She says that in reality, "our performance degrades  for each new task we add to the mix."

The bottom line: The way you use technology can help or can hurt your marriage. 

Next time: How to Keep Technology in It's Place.

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Thinking?

 ASK YOURSELF

* Do I have trouble concentrating when reading a long section of text on a screen?  If so,  what most often is likely to distract me?

* What steps can I take to reduce or even eliminate those distractions?

Tip: Start small by reading brief sections of text at first, then gradually increasing the amount.  Read out loud, softly to keep focused on the material.

* What adjustments can I make  so that I have adequate  time to think and reflect on what I have read? 

Tip: Use the last ten minutes of a study period to review what  you have learned. 

*  In what circumstance s am I likely to multi-task?

* What adjustments could I make so that I focus on one task at a  time? 

Tip: Keep your study area clear of distractions so that you are  not tempted to mulit-task. 

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: "Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding." - PROVERBS 4:5.

Next time: How to Keep Technology in It's Place

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Thiinking?

 FOCUS

Some people assume that technology gives them the ability to perform two tasks at a time-for example,; to text friends while studying.  But when  their attention is divided, they many not perform any task well, especially when both require concentration.

Focus requires self-discipline, but it is well worth the effort.  "You may make fewer mistakes  and have less stress," says a teenager named Grace.  "I've learned that its better to concentrate on one thing at at time and avoid the distraction of multi-tasking. 

TO THINK ABOUT:  Does multi -tasking  interfere with your ability to comprehend and remember what you study? -PROVERBS 17:24.

Some people become uneasy when they are alone in quiet surroundings, and they turn to technology to fill the void.  "I get bored within 15 minutes if I don't check my phone or tablet or turn on the TV," admits a woman named Olivia.

However, periods of solitude provide a valuable opportunity  for deep thinking- and essential part of learning, not only for young people but also for adults.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

EXAMINE YOUR USE OF TECHNOLOGY

In what ways could you use technology to enhance your thinking skills?  What  uses could interfere with your ability to concentrate and learn?

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: "Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability." - PROVERBS 3:21.

Next time: How Does Technology Affect  Your Thinking?

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Marriage

 TO THINK ABOUT: Do you give undivided attention to your spouse when he or she is speaking to you? - LUKE 8:18.

LOYALTY

One poll found suspicious use of social media was a common cause  of marital fights.  Ten percent of those surveyed admitted posting material online that they keep hidden from their spouse.

For good reason, social media has been called  "a marriage minefield" and even "an adultery service."  Not surprisingly, divorce lawyers say that social media plays a significant role in man of today's  breakups. 

TO THINK ABOUT:  Do you hide from your spouse communications with someone of the opposite sex? - PROVERBS  4:23. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

SET PRIOTITIES

A person who neglects eating will stay heathy.  Similarly, a person who neglects his or her spouse will find it difficult to maintain a healthy marriage. -  EPHESIANS 5:28, 29.

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: " Make sure  of the more important things." - PHILIPPIANS 1:10. 

Discuss which suggestions below you would like to implement, or write down you own ideas for keeping technology from interfering in your marriage. 

* Have at least one meal together each day

* Create periods of time to unplug from our devices

* Schedule a date night or other special time together

* Keep our devices off at night, away from where we sleep

* Set aside 15 minutes daily to talk to talk to each other, without devices  nearby

* Turn off Internet access at a specified time

DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COUPLES

After you and your spouse consider the following questions separately, discuss your answers with each other. 

* In what ways can you use technology to strengthen your marriage?

* In your opinion, to what extent does technology interfere with your time together?

* What improvements would you like to see?

* How difficult is it for you to leave work? Would you spouse agree with your answer?

* How can you show reasonableness when it comes to the time and attention that you expect from your spouse? 

BIBLE  PRINCIPLE: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person." - 1 CORINTHIANS 10:24. 

Next time:  How Does Technology Affect Your Thinking ? 

From the jw.org publication 

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How Does Technology You Marriage?

 When used properly, technology can strengthen the relationship between a husband and wife.  For example, if can help a couple stay in touch throughout the day. 

However, some spouses allow misuse of technology to . . .

*  rob them of valuable time together.

* bring work into the home unnecessarily.

* create distrust even disloyalty

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

TIME TOGETHER

A  husband named Michael says: "Sometimes when my wife and I are together, she isn't really there." She's busy looking at her phone, and she says,  'I haven't been able to check until now."  A husband named Jonathan says that in such situations "spouses cab be physically together and yet seem miles apart." 

TO THINK ABOUT:  How often does a phone call, text, or notification interfere with quality time that could be spent with your spouse? - EPHESIANS 5:33.

WORK

Some people have to be available around the clock because of the nature of their secular work.  Others, whose jobs are not so demanding, still find it difficult  to  leave their job behind them at the end of the day.  "It's hard not check every phone call or text message that I receive for work during time that I've set aside to spend with my wife," admits  a husband named Lee.  My wife Joy says: "I work from home, so work is always present.  It takes effort to be balanced. 

Next time: How Does Technology Affect Your Marriage?

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Children?

 Note the suggestions you would like to implement to your children, or write down your own ideas.

* Discuss proper  online conduct and manners with my child

*  Help my child deal with the feelings of exclusion

* Bock inappropriate content to the extent possible

* Check my child's phone periodically

* Set a time  limit for daily usage

* Prohibited devices in my child's bedroom overnight

* Bab devices in my child's bedroom overnight

* Ban devices at the dinner table

DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR PARENTS

* Do we use a digital device as a babysitter to keep our child occupied?

* Does our child need a device with Internet access?  If so, why?

* Can we afford to give our child a device with Internet access/

* Has our child already demonstrated self-control?

*  How has our child demonstrated responsibility for his or her actions?

* What rules will we put in place ?

*  How can we help our child balance screen time with other activities?

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: "Mature people . . . have their powers  of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong." - HEBREWS 5:14.

Next time: How Does Technology Affect Your Marriage?

From the jw.org publications  

How Does Technology Affect Your Children? -Continued

 WHAT YOU CAN DO

Pornography

The Internet has made lewd content easily available and accessible.  Parent should realize that while filters can help, they are not foolproof.

Sexting -sending or receiving explicit images, usually via smartphone-can have legal consequences. In some cases, depending on local laws and the ages of those involved , people who sext can be charged with spreading child pornography. 

TO THINK ABOUT:  How can you help your children resist the temptation to view or to send sexually images online? -  EPHESIANS 5:3, 4. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN

Although "digital natives,"  may use technology with remarkable ease, they still need guidance.  This book Indistractable  notes   that giving  children  a smartphone or other device before the have the skills to use it properly is "just as irresponsible as letting them jump headfirst into a pool with knowing how to swim." 

BIBLE PRINCIPLE: "Train a child the way he should go, even when he grows old and he will not depart from it." - PROVERBS 22:6. 

Next time: How Does Technology Affect Your Children? - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Children

WHAT YOU SHOUD KNOW

 DEPENDENCY

Some online activities -gaming, for example-tend to be highly addictive.  That is no accident.  "The apps on our phones are designed to keep us at our phones,"  says the book Reclaiming Conversation.  The longer we stare at commercial apps on our screen, the more profitable we become to advertisers.

TO THINK ABOUT: Do your children seem overly attached to their devices?   How can  you help them make better use of their time? - EPHESIANS 5:15, 16.

CYBERBULLYING 

When online, some people become more aggressive, vulgar, and insensitive to other's feelings  -traits that can lead to bullying. 

Some misuses of social media can be related to a person's inordinate desire to be liked or followed.  Or if a person finds out he was included in some way-for example, he sees he was not invited to a party-this  could make him feel as if he were being  bullied. 

TO THINK ABOUT: Do your children use proper manners online? (Ephesians 4:31) How well do they deal with feeling exclusive? 

Next time: How Does Technology Affect Your Children? Continued

From the jw.org publications

How Does Technology Affect Your Children?

 Children are so proficient at using technology that they are commonly called  "digital natives," While adults who are less adept at using technology are referred to as "digital immigrants." 

At the same time, some have noted that young people who spend a lot of time online tend to  . . .

* develop a dependence on their devices.

* become involved in cyberbullying.

* be exposed to pornography, whether or not by choice. 

Next time: How Does Technology Affect Your Children?

From the jw.org publications