I have totally devoured these two Christian resources about smartphones and social media over the past few days, and I can't wait to share them with you!
The first book is The Teen's Guide to Social Media and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World by Jonathan McKee. (As you can imagine, I received a lot of heat from my kids when they caught me reading this one: "Mom, you are NOT a teen!," to which I just chuckled, but hey, I learned a lot for myself, and for them, one day.)
This one was a fantastic read and written in such a way that it was light-hearted and witty, yet informative, thought provoking, and came off non-preachy (a hard balance to master). It offered up scripture to ponder, personal questions to consider, and left lots of room for the reader to decide for themselves how to navigate this new technology (because what teen wants to be told what do to by an adult, right?).
I walked away equipped with a better understanding of the underlying purpose of apps like Snapchat, straight-forward recommendations regarding privacy settings, and encouragement to seek out a mentor. I also took to heart the advice to take less selfies (treat it like a paycheck: never more than two a month!) and learned in a fresh way how online anonymity is a myth.
Definitely one I want to own for my kids someday soon!
The second book I'd highly recommend to you is 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke. This book really took me by surprise. In truth, I was expecting a straight-forward book recounting all the ways smartphones impact our lives (increased distraction, decreased interpersonal communication, etc.). But what I got instead was a hard-hitting, deeply theological resource that enabled me to take a deep and long view at my heart and how my use of digital technology and social media reflects its deepest desires.
(In retrospect, I should have seen this coming, as Reinke is senior writer for Desiring God, and the book features a forward written by John Piper, and interviews with pastors such as Paul David Tripp and Ray Ortlund, Jr.)
I mean, who would have thought technology has a theology behind it?
Reinke digs deep and invites us to truly examine our hearts in areas such as our desire for immediate approval, our fear of man, our fear of missing out, and our profound loneliness. It also gave me a greater context for understanding our current digital age: that, since the Garden, man has been creating culture that distracts us from God and tempts us towards worship of it, instead of God. In truth, ALL technology isolates (just look at the bank teller being replaced by the ATM, the traffic cop being replaced by the traffic signal); this phenomenon is nothing new or unique to smartphones. Instead, like in all things, it is how our technology and its tools are viewed and used.
What I love about both of these resources is that neither one of them is written from the perspective that technology is bad or sinful in itself. Neither author recommends that we chuck our smartphones in the trash or move to Ghana (if my latest mission trip is any indication, they have them there anyways!).
Instead, both resources remind me that I am smarter than any smartphone. With God's help, I can use biblical principles to navigate this brave new world of having digital technology at my fingertips, every moment of every day. I can be honest about the sins in my heart before the Lord, and the ways in which I look to technology to escape or use it to provide me with a sense of security, safety, and approval, instead of looking to Him. I can set boundaries. I can create tech-free zones in my house and in my life, and I can enjoy tech-free sabbath rests.
I will definitely be unpacking the truths I've devoured within the pages of these books in future blog posts, as I process them for myself and have the time to reflect upon my own heart. But for now, I'd love to invite you to come alongside me and read these fantastic resources, if not for yourselves, then on behalf of your children, friends, and loved ones.
I believe we all struggle with the truths contained in these books, whether we admit them or not. My prayer is that we would all be humble and honest with ourselves to reflect upon how and why we use digital technology and social media in our lives. May it, like with everything that we do, be for our and others' good, and ultimately for God's glory, until He returns.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." --1 Corinthians 10:31
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