ARGUING WITH PARENTS ABOUT
SCREEN TIME
PLAYING MORE
WARNING SIGNS OF SCREEN ADDICTION
TRYING TO STOP BUT CAN ’ T
INTERFERING WITH FAMILY TIME
MAKING BAD GRADES
“ We set the bar high , stood up for our kids , and stood out from the crowd .”
SNEAKING AROUND & LYING
LOSING INTEREST IN HOBBIES
Our younger boys thrived during their high school years as well . They invested time in building face-to-face relationships with friends , coaches , and teachers . Instead of joining the staggering statistic that most kids spend around 16,000 hours with on-screen entertainment between middle and high school , they opted for baseball and cross country . Instead of “ building their brand ” on social media or trying to top the leaderboard in their online game , they built inperson relationships in the school hallways and held leadership offices in the student government . They had plenty of time for violin and piano and still love their music . These rich experiences opened many doors for them — doors of opportunity Adam missed out on due to the countless hours he invested in front of a screen clutching a game controller .
I ’ m often asked if our younger kids suffered socially in high school , felt left out , or resented us . No . They have many close friends and a rich childhood full of stories and memories to carry with them to college . Our family has grown very close as a result of our decision to embrace Screen- Strong principles . We learned video games and social media certainly are not mandatory for teens .
Are you wondering if they ever argued with us or begged for more screens ? Sure they did ! However , I took the sage advice of a seasoned sports coach who told me , “ When teen problems arise , Mom , be happy and never get on your teen ’ s emotional rollercoaster !” Taking that wisdom to heart , I smiled a lot and continued to guide my teens like a good coach does — with a firm but loving approach . We set the bar high , stood up for our kids , and stood out from the crowd . We remained steadfast in our decision to bypass video games and social media throughout high school , and the results were astounding . They thrived ! None of us have ever looked back with regret for that choice .
As parents , it falls upon our shoulders to guard our children from the most dangerous and addictive elements of culture ; they can ’ t do it on their own . The first step is to get educated on medical science behind screen issues and not lean on cultural opinions . It is essential to understand your why . Next , unite with a like-minded community to navigate this journey . If you can ’ t find one , create one with a few families at your church or school . Finally , never parent out of fear or try to win favors with your children by giving in to their screen desires . Like Adam , they don ’ t know what is best . Instead , boldly lead , stay steady , and protect what matters most .
34 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW