I just got a note -- I thought it was a comment -- that basically said: (a) this problem is real, (2) even teens tell me its real and very problematic, but (3) doesn't every generation worry about technology?
The note has vanished. I wanted to reply, and was able to do so: The current mental-health issues are off the charts and unprecedented in scope. The unbridled Internet is the biggest change since the printing press. This issue has to be faced.
Re: What would happen if someone played this video during “coffee hours” in your congregations?
A few people might pay attention, most would not. Our "coffee" hour is usually a well-provided luncheon and it's given over to visiting with one another. And I think that's exactly right-- fostering fellowship and maybe even friendships among the congregation is important.
The homily, or perhaps the announcements afterward. A link to the video (if it is online) could be included in the weekly bulletin-- maybe even a separate handout with the bulletin.
Currently we don't even have a screen of any kind in our (newly completed) church hall, and I rather think that's a good thing-- above all in church (but also everywhere else) people should interact person-to-person and not rely on screens.
I agree with you on the screens issue in coffee hour. I guess I was saying that this ROOM is the most common space, in many smaller parishes, for adult discussions and education. Sorry for the confusion, in what I said.
That's OK. On further reflection another possibility would be an evening session during the week and after a weekday service when the video could be shown to interested people with prior scheduling and announcement of course. My church did that late in 2022 with a video setting forth the church's teachings on sexuality especially in regards to LGBT issues following the regular Wednesday vespers.
I'm a member of an Eastern Orthodox congregation in Houston and the mother of a nearly 13-yr old girl. I not only absolutely want our church teen group to address the issues from that video, I expect it. If needed, I will volunteer to help lead it. According to Haight's research, teen girls suffer the most from social media. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have found this community, because many of the parents are delaying phones. We withdrew our child from public school and chose a small classical private school where phones are not allowed at all. The school works with a nonprofit (smart-families.org) to help parents think through the reasons to possibly wait. One of the hardest issues is to be the only kid in the group with no phone. You end up "left out", which to teen girls is one of the worst possible punishments. But if enough parents in a community make this pledge, then it allows your child a chance to prolong their childhood, but not be the pariah. None of my daughter's 7th grade school or church friends have a smart phone. All of the 7th grade girls on her club volleyball team (unassociated with school or church) do.
Waiting allows us to have supervised smart phone use, and to talk with our kids about social media and technology, look at it together, and help them become more conscious users of it if and when they do get a phone.
This is the biggest problem that is least discussed of the age. I raised my kids without TV but I see my grandkids fighting over the tablet and I want to weep.
I just got a note -- I thought it was a comment -- that basically said: (a) this problem is real, (2) even teens tell me its real and very problematic, but (3) doesn't every generation worry about technology?
The note has vanished. I wanted to reply, and was able to do so: The current mental-health issues are off the charts and unprecedented in scope. The unbridled Internet is the biggest change since the printing press. This issue has to be faced.
Re: What would happen if someone played this video during “coffee hours” in your congregations?
A few people might pay attention, most would not. Our "coffee" hour is usually a well-provided luncheon and it's given over to visiting with one another. And I think that's exactly right-- fostering fellowship and maybe even friendships among the congregation is important.
OK, then what is the appropriate setting at your church in which to handle a life and death moral topic of this kind?
The homily, or perhaps the announcements afterward. A link to the video (if it is online) could be included in the weekly bulletin-- maybe even a separate handout with the bulletin.
Currently we don't even have a screen of any kind in our (newly completed) church hall, and I rather think that's a good thing-- above all in church (but also everywhere else) people should interact person-to-person and not rely on screens.
I agree with you on the screens issue in coffee hour. I guess I was saying that this ROOM is the most common space, in many smaller parishes, for adult discussions and education. Sorry for the confusion, in what I said.
That's OK. On further reflection another possibility would be an evening session during the week and after a weekday service when the video could be shown to interested people with prior scheduling and announcement of course. My church did that late in 2022 with a video setting forth the church's teachings on sexuality especially in regards to LGBT issues following the regular Wednesday vespers.
I'm a member of an Eastern Orthodox congregation in Houston and the mother of a nearly 13-yr old girl. I not only absolutely want our church teen group to address the issues from that video, I expect it. If needed, I will volunteer to help lead it. According to Haight's research, teen girls suffer the most from social media. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have found this community, because many of the parents are delaying phones. We withdrew our child from public school and chose a small classical private school where phones are not allowed at all. The school works with a nonprofit (smart-families.org) to help parents think through the reasons to possibly wait. One of the hardest issues is to be the only kid in the group with no phone. You end up "left out", which to teen girls is one of the worst possible punishments. But if enough parents in a community make this pledge, then it allows your child a chance to prolong their childhood, but not be the pariah. None of my daughter's 7th grade school or church friends have a smart phone. All of the 7th grade girls on her club volleyball team (unassociated with school or church) do.
Waiting allows us to have supervised smart phone use, and to talk with our kids about social media and technology, look at it together, and help them become more conscious users of it if and when they do get a phone.
Do you go to St. Joseph parish?
Yep
This is the biggest problem that is least discussed of the age. I raised my kids without TV but I see my grandkids fighting over the tablet and I want to weep.
Yes you should post your columns here so we don't have to go looking for them. Thanks