Written by Reid Monaghan

[This article was originally posted on the Power of Change website.]

As the global coronavirus pandemic has inevitably lead many governments around the world to recommend social distancing, curfews, and even quarantine, all of us have been led to spend more time at home than usual. Along with this, we also live in a time where personal technology has proliferated and innumerable work and entertainment options abound. It is not hard to imagine that screen time, for both young and old, will be going up in the weeks and months ahead. There will also be the opportunity to simply veg out in long runs of binge watching shows. Let’s think through how we can engage this indoor season with technology without letting the screens, devices, and stories take over our lives. The following are a few suggestions for navigating the tech scene in your home during this season.

MAKE A SCHEDULE

In this time when normal rhythms of schooling, work, and extracurricular activities are disrupted, it is easy to flow through the days and weeks without much structure. If your normal schedule is toast, make a new one together as a family. Be sure to include a family worship/sync time to turn on hearts to the Lord, think Christianly about the news and our neighbors, share our hopes and fears, and genuinely connect as human beings. If you do not already have screen time limits on devices this would be a good time to figure that out together as a family. Limiting access is a kindness to each of us as it helps us to not be consumed by devices.

Additionally, as we live in what some some have called a golden age of television, there are strong shows to watch. Try to prioritize things that bring people together in small, socially distanced, groups rather than just binging alone. If you are watching a serialized show, discuss episode limits for each day to be rested and have time for other things.

Finally, if you are now working from home, try creating work times in your schedule and work locations in your home. Use transition routines to enter in and out of work time and spaces to let others in your household have clarity. Is Mom or Dad working now? Let them know.

ENFORCE YOUR RULES

Discipline in this time of pandemic is important so that we do not neglect eating healthy, spending time with the Lord, exercise, time outdoors, as well as managing our technology use. Rules often get made, but they often go unimplemented. If you set some rules, please try and enforce them. If you have young children explain the why behind your limits. In fact, if you have teenagers, you will probably have to explain things to them more than once! If you need help from research and statistics about the effects of technology, I would recommend Jean Twenge’s book iGen.

One final reminder here is definitely warranted. When our time is unstructured and we are walking in a stressful season, temptation can arise through various avenues. Keep a watch on your heart during this time and be aware of the sin and temptation that can come to us through technology. God is faithful and will help us here! (1 Corinthians 10:13)

ENJOY TOGETHER

Technology, movies, and maybe even video games can be a gift for community and family unity in a time of quarantine. It can also be a force that separates us from each other and from the Lord. If we watch our lives during the season we may find margin to enjoy the gift of technology, engage some of the good stories being produced for television, as well as engaging the story of God and real human beings around us.