Have you read the article “Digital Detachment and Personal Revelation” by Elder Scott D. Whiting in the March Ensign? Elder Whiting says that the need to constantly be attached to our digital devices hinders us from building a relationship with our Heavenly Father.
He mentions that technological advancements can be both good and bad. Modern technology, when purely and judiciously used, can help us hasten the work of the Lord and spread the gospel. But an overreliance on technology can be a problem. “Being constantly ‘plugged in’ can drown out the quiet whisperings and subtle impressions of the Holy Spirit, breaking our personal connection with God and making it difficult, if not impossible, to receive personal revelation.”
Later in the article, he said “While modern technological advancements can enhance the work of the Lord and bless us and our families, we must be careful not to fall victim to their destructive side. We must not only avoid the base and degrading content some sources contain, but we must also recognize when electronic distractions keep us from quieter, more significant uses of our time. We must guard against becoming so attached to digital devices that we become detached from God.”
What suggestions do you have for using technology wisely? One family I know decided that their children were spending too much time texting–even staying up late at night sending thousands of text messages. So the family decided that the cell phones would go on the kitchen counter at 9:00pm each night.
What family rules have you instituted that help?
Our family has decided that we become “detached” at 6:00 pm as a general guideline. That allows us to do other activities as a family. We still stream music and there are other exceptions to the rule (online homework for example), but the blessings have been great and we enjoy the quiet serenity that comes form being unplugged.
We have electronics-free days – no computer, video game, iPod, or TV on those days, unless there is a family activity going on (like watching a movie together). None of the kids have cell phones, but if they did, they would have to check them in at night at a certain time. We’ve already discussed this (cell phone check-in), so they know it’s going to happen.
While reading Elder Whiting’s article in Ensign this month, I thought of Elder Bednar’s CES broadcast from last year. He discussed the dangers of cyber technologies minimize our physical bodies and gave examples such as Second Life.
“Today I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls… in a cyber world, these challenges are more pervasive and intense. I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes… he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to accomplish his purposes. Please be careful of becoming so immersed and engrossed in pixels, texting, ear buds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive uses of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the importance of your physical body and miss the richness of person-to-person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer-mediated interaction that can displace the full range of physical capacity and experience.”
It worth reading.
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,538-1-4830-1,00.html