When was the last time you had a family dinner and nobody brought their phones or tablets to the table?
Or the last time you spent your weekend playing board games as a family instead of watching television in separate parts of the house?
If your answer to either of these questions is more than a few weeks ago, it might be time for a family technology reset.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about leading your family into a digital fast and why it’s important for your children — and you!
Too Much of a Good Thing
If you’re reading this article, you probably already know that too much screen time for your family isn’t a good thing.
While there are certainly benefits to social media, the internet and streaming services, spending too much time online can have a negative impact on you and your family.
In fact, numerous studies over the years have linked excessive technology use to:
- Increased comparison.
- Decreased social interaction.
- Anxiety, isolation and depression.
Leading your family into a digital fast can be a good way to ensure you and your children are using technology in moderation. By doing this, you can steer clear of unintentional consequences like the ones listed above.
Facing the Challenge
The reality is that a digital fast may seem like an intimidating thing to do. And that’s because breaking a habit that feeds our mind’s craving for dopamine is difficult.
“Changing our habits, especially those where we’re overconsuming, is difficult because it involves acknowledging our unhealthiness and the need for change. It’s never an overnight process, whether we’re talking about reigning in our screentime, or our overeating or overspending,” states Adam Holz in Embracing the Screen-time Reset. published by our strategic ministry partner Focus On The Family.
Nevertheless, be encouraged. A digital fast is not impossible to do. You can lead your family away from damaging screen time habits.
5 Steps to Starting a Digital Fast
Here’s easy steps you can take today to establish healthy boundaries and limits through a family digital fast:
- Explain the need for a digital fast. Help your children understand why you are choosing to fast from technology, that way they don’t think it’s a punishment.
- Establish basic rules. Are you fasting from all tech usage, or are you fasting from non-essential apps, like social media? Can you use your phones at certain hours? Decide the rules and make sure everyone in your household understands them clearly before you begin.
- Pick a time for your fast to begin. Natural transitions are great, like a Sunday or at the start of a school break. Deciding as a family is a plus to help get your kids get involved and excited!
- Determine how long your digital fast will be. Will your family tech reset last a week, a weekend or a month? Decide how long and how often so that the routine can be established with your children.
- Plan alternative activities. The digital fast will be most effective when the family is aware and excited for the activities that will replace screen time. Decide as a family what you will do to fill the time you used to spend on technology. Incorporate healthy activities like prayer, reading the Bible together, playing games, being creative and trying new hobbies.
By keeping these steps in mind, you can lead your family in establishing the daily rhythms you desire for your family.
KEY TAKEAWAY
A digital fast can be an effective way to start a family technology reset. By laying some ground rules and stating your expectations before you begin, you have a better chance of having a fast that leaves your family feeling refreshed and free. Be intentional in replacing screen time with opportunities to connect with your kids and exploring activities the whole family will enjoy!
“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” ~Hebrews 12:1a (NLT)
APPLICATION
The next time you’re in the car, trade your child’s phone scrolling for an opportunity to connect by playing Think, Share, Care. This easy, no-prep game encourages your child to share about themselves and ask you questions, too, so you can grow closer together.
Find this game and more now in the Everyday Moments™ activities collection!
