The Techxit
Armando examines and tries to apply lessons from The Tech Exit by Clare Morell using a biblical worldview.
Have you ever known there was a problem before it was diagnosed? That was me before I read "The Tech Exit" by Clare Morell. Screens had become our crutch. While we set restrictions and guidelines for tech in our home, it had overtaken us. We used screen after screen. Hopping from a tablet to the TV to a gaming console.
Reading the Tech Exit revealed the detrimental effects screens can have on our children's brains and development. It also reminded us how this will impact us as a family in our relationships, but also with people we interact with regularly.
Morell gave research to show how screens and social media negatively impact children and teens. She cited scientific research and academic scores on how it can negatively impact learning as well. Relationally children who are on screens and use social media do not know how to interact with each other in the same way. They take on the medium of life behind a screen even when they are face to face. Morell argued that families should attempt to rid their homes of screens as much as possible and commit to not allowing social media until children are out of the house. She also suggested a no smartphone (though Light and 'dumbphones' were ok) until 14 or even 18 years old. Her bottom line, tech companies and social media companies like Meta, X, and Google (youtube) are trying to rewire your child's brain so they are addicted to screens and their apps. Gaming companies on tablets and phones obviously want the same. The more your child plays, the more money they make from ads or in-game purchases. Morell cites these companies as the big bad wolf.
This is where I delineate from her thinking. Companies obviously want to make money. They have that right. While that does not excuse them for the lack of safeguards surrounding children under age from seeing explicit material, parents are the ones who should be diligent in monitoring and protecting their children.
The big bad wolf is not the tech companies. The villain is our own heart. We can make idols out of anything. As Calvin once said, "The heart is a factory of idols." Humans have a proclivity to create idols even out of good gifts from God.
So my wife and I made some wholesale changes. We decided we were not going to allow tech to take over our lives but attempt to use it to the glory of God. I am writing this very article with a piece of tech that I received for Christmas from my mom and stepdad (Freewrite Alpha smart typewriter). I will edit it on my laptop or phone before I post it. I regularly use Grammarly to fix mistakes I may have made in the writing and editing process. Tech is not the problem, our heart is.
So we sat our kids down at dinner and we had a talk. We had just placed our phones on the counter and turned the ringer off of vibrate and on for sound. We asked them where our phones tend to be. Selah responded, "In your pocket, next to you on the table or in your hand." I told her she was right and my wife and I apologized for being bad examples and active sinners in our tech idolatry. We explained that the normal rhythm of our home would now be to have the phones on the counter with notifications on loud so if we get an important message or call, we are aware. However, those devices will stay there until after family time after dinner. I would be deleting all of the games off of their iPads (a Christmas gift from grandparents) and keeping Kindle, Duolingo (Selah's favorite), and Prodigy Math and using them for educational purposes.
Selah's initial response was shock, but I reminded her that idols come in many forms. She perked up and started talking about all of the other fun things she could do away from screens. We also explained we would not watch TV except when it was together as a family after dinner was eaten. While I told them that there may be exceptions when necessary this would be the normal rhythm of life.
So far, our kids haven't missed a beat. They have enjoyed playing together and with us. They already loved to read and play creatively and are doing it even more. There may be hiccups in the future and maybe changes over time, but this will be the normal rhythm of life in our home. We did caution our girls to not become Pharisees. We explained the danger is to judge others who will choose not to be like us, but we do not have to. We can encourage and explain what we do but leave it up to them. I also explained when we are hanging out with other friends we will not rush away if they use screens. Tech and screens can be used to the glory of God. I think this book, not written from a Christian perspective, gives plenty of ideas on how one can use it in moderation and for good without becoming consumed. I hope this review and application encourage you to check out the book and prayerfully consider what is best for you and your family!
Find the book here:
https://a.co/d/cGtOLWG