Parenting, Technology, and the Truth: Social Media Promotes Comparison

Tune in to a fascinating conversation where host Cameron Cole interviews author Samuel James about his new book, Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age. You'll want to hear his discussion of "content vs. form"; "software vs. hardware," prompting us to ask the question: how is the technology itself- not just the content we view- shaping our loves, our views of what life should be like?"The internet is a major secular liturgy."Resources:Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online AgeYou Are What You Love by James K.A. SmithThe Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas CarrYou're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News by Kelly KapicThe Gift of Limitations: Finding Beauty in Your Boundaries by Sara HagertyJoin us for Rooted 2024 in Dallas, October 24-26!  Follow us @rootedministry!

In this episode, Cameron and Anna are excited to sit down with guest Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition. As an astute thought leader for Christians wrestling with contemporary culture, Hansen shares what he has seen and heard about the impact of smartphones and social media on children and teenagers. He invites us to trust God, but also to be informed and make wise decisions to protect our children. You won't want to miss this episode!"It's easy in these conversations to come across as analog or Amish, and that might be a good decision for a lot of people, but it's about learning to control those things so that they don't control you, to use them so they don't use you, and to understand that there are people who get paid a lot more money than you do, who are a lot smarter than any of us, who are trying to grab that attention, that we have to demand to grab back."Resources:Collin Hansen The Anxious Generation by Jonathan HaidtGenerations by Jean TwengePurchase Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today.   Follow us @rootedministry!

In this episode of the Rooted Parent Podcast, Cameron and Anna encourage parents whose kids are NOT HAPPY with the family rules regarding smartphones. We hope this episode will help you hold the line for your child's good."Listening well and showing compassion is going to go a long way towards staying connected with your child."Resources:Join us at Rooted 2024 in Dallas Texas, October 24-26!Purchase Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today. Follow us @rootedministry!

Licensed professional counselor Alice Churnock of "Ask Alice" podcast fame sits down with Anna to talk about what she has learned from her teenaged clients about the impacts of social media. Because Alice is also a mom, she offers wise practical advice for parents of young teens, who don't yet have a smartphone. Alice also shares guidance for parents who want to pull back on their child's technology use. Finally, she offers the comfort of the gospel for every parent navigating these tricky challenges."What are the four things social media satisfies?... It satisfies communication, it satisfies comparisons, it satisfies curiosity, and it satisfies confidence."Resources:Ask Alice podcastCell Phone ContractDoes Social Media Use Cause Depression? Follow us @rootedministry!

In this episode of our technology series, Cameron and Anna discuss the enormous amount of time teenagers (and often, their parents) spend in front of screens on a daily basis. We find that Scripture has a lot to say about "numbering our days [so} that we may get a heart of wisdom" concerning how we spend the time God has given us."We need to be really careful not to send the message that doing schoolwork or being productive are the only ways to honor God with your time."References:Ephesians 5:15-17Colossians 4:5Psalm 90:121 Thessalonians 5:1-8Philippians 4:8Psalm 101:2Matthew 5:29  Follow us @rootedministry!

In this episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Cameron and Anna tackle a tough topic: the unjust conduct of social media giants like Meta, TikTok, and Pornhub, who knowingly prey on preteens and teens with the intent to create addicts. Much like the tobacco industry, these companies exploit the vulnerability of children and young adults for profit, despite overwhelming evidence of harm to younger users. God cares deeply about the protection of the vulnerable, so be encouraged that while you may frustrate your child with protective measures, you are actually doing God's work. "If you see exploitation of the vulnerable, then you need to stand between that person and their oppressor."Resources:Zechariah 7:9-10Malachi 3:5Isaiah 1:17The Social DilemmaJoin us at the next Rooted Conference!  Follow us @rootedministry!

Human beings live perpetually aware of their shortcomings, so we are always seeking to justify ourselves by some demonstration of "enoughness." In this episode of the Rooted Parent podcast, Cameron and Anna talk about how we use social media filters as self-justification tools, and how we can teach our kids that the gospel answers our nagging sense of inadequacy. Resources:Psalm 139: 13-15Galatians 2:10-21Order Anxiety: Finding the Better Story by Liz Edrington today!  Follow us @rootedministry!

Instagram is unparalleled in its capacity to stir up envy within us; and envy is unparalleled in its power to destroy relationships. In this episode, Cameron and Anna uncover the backbone of envy and talk about the truths from God's word that provide the corrective for our jealousy and covetousness. Resources:The Agony of Instagram by Alex WilliamsThe Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World by Melissa KrugerThe Problem of Demandingness by Larry CrabbScriptures:Cain and Abel (Gen 4)Jacon and Esau (Gen 27-29)Saul and David (1 Samuel 18-31)Joseph and His Brothers (Gen 37)Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num. 16)The Backbone of Envy:Not recognizing and being grateful for what you have.Believing God is holding out on you.Believing that getting what you want will make you happy.Demandingness- wanting what you want RIGHT NOW!Not desiring good things to happen to other people.Not trusting in God's providence. Follow us @rootedministry!

If there's one thing Christian parents know, it's that walking with Jesus will put us in conflict with the dominant culture. In this episode, Cameron and Anna discuss the difficulty and the imperative of raising children who are willing to be different from their peers, for God's glory and their own thriving."But when we live Christian lives, we are swimming against the stream of popular culture, because Christ Himself was counter cultural. To follow Christ is to be against the stream, but fully alive." G.K. ChestertonResources:Exodus 19:5-61 Peter 2:9-12Galatians 5:16-17Instagram Addicted Your Teenager Because She's Worth $270 to Them by Chris Martin, Termsofservice.com. Follow us @rootedministry!

In this episode of our technology series, Cameron and Anna examine the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke's gospel. When we lead our children to understand that their audience is a good God who loves them and finds them flawless in Christ, they will begin to break free from needing to perform for other people and find rest under the smile of their heavenly Father."Measuring up to the standard does not come through effort or performance, but instead it comes through grace."Resources:Luke 18:9-14Follow us @rootedministry! Follow us @rootedministry!