Today we’re diving into a topic that touches nearly everyone’s lives: the time we spend on social media and our smartphones. In this episode, we explore how the hours we spend scrolling, liking, and tweeting are not just fleeting moments but can be significant in shaping our daily lives and overall well-being.

We’ll start by breaking down the problem—why social media and smartphone usage have become such dominant forces in our lives and the subtle ways they might be undermining our productivity, mental health, and personal relationships.

But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! We also discuss practical strategies and actionable steps to reclaim your time and find a healthier balance. Whether you’re looking to cut down on screen time or just curious about how to better manage your digital habits, this episode is packed with tips and insights that you can start using today.

So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s get started on taking back control from our screens.

Show notes:

How Much Time Does The Average Person Spend on Social Media? www.medium.com.

Time Spent on Social Media Graphics: https://twicsy.com/blog/time-spent-on-social-media.

Helpful tips:

To limit screen time on an iPhone, you can use the Screen Time feature to set limits and restrictions for your device or for a child's device:

• Open Settings
• Tap Screen Time
• Select a category to set limits and restrictions

Here are some of the categories you can use:

• App Limits: Set time limits for apps
• Downtime: Schedule time away from the screen
• Communication Limits: Set limits based on your contacts
• Always Allowed: Choose apps you want at all times
• Content & Privacy Restrictions: Block inappropriate content

You can also limit your time on individual websites by:

• Swiping down to the bottom of the categories list and tapping Websites
• Choosing Add Website
• Entering the URL for any websites you want to limit
• Setting the amount of time you are allowed to use the selected websites

You can also set a screen timeout by:

• Opening the Settings app
• Scrolling down and selecting the Display & Brightness option
• Scrolling down again and choosing Auto Lock

Although most parents would like to think their tweens, teens, and adult-ish kids would not view or access pornographic material, the statistics tell us differently. And while none of us want to talk about it, many of our spouses are doing the same.

As school commences and our teens and young adults enjoy greater freedom than ever before, how can we encourage healthy, meaningful conversations about the dangers of pornography and its addictive consequences? And how can we have similar tough conversations with those adults closest to us?

Please join us as Justin Garrett, a Christian pastor, discusses the increasing prevalence of pornography use by our young adults and how the Church can support families as they navigate this difficult issue.

Special Guest:

Justin Garrett: Lead Pastor at Athens Church, Kansas City, MO
Justin is a Columbia, MO native and worked at a church called The Crossing for 16 years. Justin and his wife, Jen, have three sons.

Justin attended Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, graduating in 2009 with a Master of Divinity. In 2021, the family launched Athens Church in Kansas City.

To learn more about his church, go to https://www.athenskc.com/

Resources Justin recommends:

https://www.covenanteyes.com/e-books/ - a wonderful collection of short and free ebooks, The Porn Circuit and Your Brain on Porn are very good. Their service is the one our whole family pays for with all devices.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/59baI34QD9A2fjLCipitDJ?si=iny9GCbFSU2s7SmWeUdRBw – A recent Preston Sprinkle podcast with an author and pastor on pornography.

https://fightthenewdrug.org/ - They are not religiously affiliated, I’ve heard people speak of them as genuine non-Christians who are just trying to educate and help people.

The Death of Porn – an older and trusted pastor writing a book on the subject in a style of letters to the reader.

Surfing for God – a classic at getting beneath the symptom of porn consumption to understand what’s going on in the heart and desires.

School days are upon us. The backpacks have been purchased and stocked. Lunch boxes have been prepared and a new pair of shoes await by the door. Hopefully, we’ve done everything we can to ensure a successful start to the school year.

It can feel daunting to send our children out into the world without our guidance. We may have provided them with all the material tools, but what about instilling confidence and self-esteem? Can they handle feedback, correction, and consequences?

Research on parenting styles is extensive. Although there may not be a “perfect” parenting style, there are certainly styles that encourage and some that diminish. Please join us as we discuss various parenting styles - what works and what doesn’t.

Show Notes and References:

Parenting Teens with Love and Logic, Preparing Teens for Responsible Adulthood by Foster Cline, MD & Jim Fay

Parenting Styles: What Parenting Style is Right for You?

https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/what-parenting-style-is-right-for-you

Lawnmower Parents: What are They? www.WebMD

Lawnmower Parents: Definition

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/lawnmower-parent