A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR CHRISTIAN PARENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA
A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR CHRISTIAN PARENTS
By Dr . David Warren
Editor ’ s Note : RenewaNation recommends keeping children off social media until they are 18 . For parents who choose to allow access , this article gives practical tips for recognizing and handling the dangers associated with social media use .
Social media has become an integral part of many teenagers ’ lives . They use it to stay connected with friends , learn about the world , and express themselves . However , social media can also have many negative effects on teenagers , both mentally and physically .
Teens aged 13 to 18 spend the most time on social media of any demographic , with an average of over three hours per day . 1 Statistics suggest that some American teenagers spend a “ mind-blowing ” nine hours a day on social media , entertaining themselves by streaming videos , listening to music , talking with friends , and playing games .
All of this screen time comes with several pitfalls . First of all , social media can be a distraction for teenagers . It can be easy to get sucked into the endless scroll of their newsfeed , and before they know it , hours have passed , and they ’ ve accomplished nothing of substantial value , leading to neglect of schoolwork , relationships , and sleep .
Ephesians 5:16 reminds us that we should be “ making the best use of the time because the days are evil .” Can we really say that time spent on social media is a wise use of time ? Even teenagers , when polled , have identified this as a problem . Fifty-six percent of teens polled admitted they typically go online intending to do one thing and get sidetracked and do something else for an extended period . 2 Sixty-five percent said they wished they had a greater ability to self-limit the time they spend on their phone . It is clear that social media has become addictive for teenagers . The constant stimulation of social media can make it difficult for teenagers to put down their devices .
What is the result of all this time spent watching videos on TikTok or looking at pictures on Instagram ? One of the biggest dangers of social media is that it can lead to comparison . When we constantly see other people ’ s highlight reels , it can be easy to start feeling like we ’ re not good enough . We begin to develop unrealistic expectations about life . When teenagers constantly see images of perfect bodies , relationships , and lives on social media , it can be easy to start feeling like they ’ re not good enough , leading to low self-esteem , anxiety , and depression .
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