Technology - A Friend Or Foe

By T.J. Mitchell

Enlisting the power of technology to HELP the parent.

Over the past few issues of "In The Know," much has been said in regards to the media. From television shows to music in an iPod or MP3 player, teenagers are surrounded by different media outlets.

A wise parent will not only study and investigate the nature of the media their teen comes in contact with, but will also take proper measures to protect their teen from unwanted media.

Hopefully, after much prayer and research on the parent's part, decisions have been made on what a teenager can or cannot listen to, watch, or read. Now that the decisions have been made, the question is "How do I enforce it?"

The phrase "I trust my teenager" often comes to the surface at this point, but every parent must realize that it is not the teenager whose trust we should question. Most teenagers will do their best to obey their parents' desires, but it is the flesh, the world, and Satan that cannot be trusted. They will seek to attack the teenager at his weakest moments. Therefore, it is the job of the parent to ensure that when those moments come, proper measures have been taken to ensure the enemy's attack fails.

The following are a few suggestions of ways a parent can safe-guard from such an incident:

1. Television

The television (TV) is becoming more and more wicked with each passing day. A wise parent will setup rules for the teenagers TV viewing. Once the rules have been established, a tool that can be used to the parent's advantage is the parental lock. On most TV's, cable boxes, and satellite receivers, a feature can be found in the device's menu that allows a parent to block shows and channels. Once the selections have been made, the parent then enters a code that prevents anyone, aside from the parents, to change the settings. Once again, this can be done on almost any TV today.

2. iPods and MP3 Players

Although iPods and most MP3 players have the ability to be locked, the feature isn't as useful as the TV's locking feature. Locking an iPod or MP3 player will simply allow the parent to decide when a teenager can listen to the device. This can be helpful in making sure the music isn't listened to past a curfew, but it doesn't help block or allow music. With devices like these, it is best the parent have a set time (weekly or daily) that he checks the contents of the device.

3. Cell Phones

Hopefully, in a home where a teenager is allowed to have a cell phone, guidelines have been put in place in regards to its use. Such guidelines include: how long a conversation may take place; where the phone can be used; and what times it cannot be used. Once again, to ensure the cell phone is only used when and where the parent deems fit, a lock can be place on the phone. Now days most teenagers set their own locks. This is often times a tragic mistake. A wise parent will not only establish the rules for cell phone use, but will also make sure the rules are followed by locking the phone.

Once again, the first emotion some parents have to "locking" devices is that of "I trust my teenager." It is not a matter of trusting a teenager, but guarding them from a never-ceasing enemy. They will attack a teenager at their weakest, and parents must do all they can to protect their teenager from those moments.

If there are any questions or comments regarding this article, please email tmitchell@thecentralbaptist.com

back to top

Return to "In the Know"