Headmaster Blog: The Digital Fast Challenge
THE BENEFITS OF A DIGITAL FAST
We're Challenging the Liberty Community to A Week-Long Tech Fast. See Where it Can Take Your Family.
I recently listened to a message from pastor Jason Strand of Eagle Brook Church entitled “Navigating Technology,” which is part of a larger message series entitled Take Back Your Family.
In this message, which I highly recommend for our families, Pastor Strand discusses the challenges of screens, the benefits of screens, and the need for balance in our homes and with our children. He provides some excellent advice for parents who are navigating this complex issue.
The Impact
Over the last 8 to 10 years, the influence of social media, video games, TikTok, YouTube, etc. has been exponential both in the culture as a whole and at Liberty Classical, as well. Parents are torn between wanting to allow their kids to be socially relevant by having a phone and being responsible for protecting their children from all the negative aspects of screen use. (Highlighted in my January book recommendation Digital Madness…another important read for parents!)
I have covered this topic extensively on my radio show, Education America, since its inception. In the last year especially, Abigail Johnson (my co-host) and I have had several guests on the show discussing the dangers of too much screen use and social media. It’s devastating to mental health and sleep patterns, it causes significant increases in anxiety and depression, and it decreases a child’s ability to concentrate and develop cognitive thinking skills. One researcher and child psychologist said today’s children are almost 2 years behind from a cognitive standpoint compared to previous generations. This is all without discussing the ramifications of children being introduced to sexually explicit or implicit messages, inappropriate and inaccurate narratives on what it means to be male, female, dating—the list goes on. Culture is extremely influential on children and young adults, and the more they’re exposed to social media, the more the culture influences children—even over their parents, school, and church. At Liberty, we have long advocated that parents withhold from purchasing smart phones or smart watches for children until the age of 14 for all the reasons listed above. It’s a powerful medium, which is why it’s so popular. Intentionality is the only answer.
Unplugging
That being said, we realize screens and social media are now part of our culture. Disconnecting from technology, whether it is a smartphone, iPad, or computer, is a struggle for all of us. This is why it is important for us not only to be intentional with our children but ourselves as well. In keeping with Pastor Strand’s message, and in light of our 52 Days of Prayer happening right now, I want to encourage and challenge our families to spend the last week of January implementing some of the ideas Pastor Strand suggests to “break” technology usage in our households like no phone at the dinner table, no devices in the car, or a even establishing a two-hour window every day when all screens are off (including parents). The time captured can instead be used to encourage conversation around the dinner table or while driving in the car, or perhaps taking the time to play games together and be present…any idea you come up with on your own for the benefit of your family! There’s no single way to do this, but the idea is to encourage family conversation every day.
As a school, we see this as a very important topic and during our 52 Days of Prayer campaign, we already ask that families consider fasting from something. What better time for us to consider a fast from our screens in some way, shape, or form?! I pray you’ll take the challenge with us this week, and reap the benefits of a more connected, peaceful, and joy-filled family. And for those of you who have already made the decision to wait on phones and screens for your children---congratulations, may you continue to experience the rewards of this decision!
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by Rebekah Hagstrom, M.A.
Founder and Headmaster, Liberty Classical Academy