The handheld mobile device that we know today as a cell phone made its debut on April 3, 1973, invented by Martin Cooper, a researcher and executive of the Motorola company. It would still be another decade before this brick-sized piece of technology would be sold commercially, but it was destined to change the world—and it has.
Over 80% of Americans have a mobile device with most of those being smart phones. Fifty-six percent of children between the ages of 8 and 12 have a cellphone. Most of the cell phone usage among adults and children, regardless of age, is on social media outlets. Studies show that most people check their phones more than 150 times per day, respond to 110 text messages per day, and 46% of respondents verbalized they “couldn’t live without their phone.” The conclusion—cell phones are here to stay. The issue—cell phone addiction has become so prevalent in our culture that most people don’t even know they are addicted.
Obviously, the use of mobile devices and social media can be a great way to share information and stay connected. Unfortunately, the usage of these devices is proving to be more detrimental to a person’s health (i.e., social, emotional, physical, and spiritual) than helpful. It has been reported that the use of mobile devices (and in most cases, the over-use of them) affects learning, social, psychological, and focus disorders, along with sleep patterns and behavioral issues such as violence. According to a recent study, “Sudden cessation of online social networking may, in some chronic users, cause signs and symptoms that at least partially resemble the ones seen during drug/alcohol/nicotine abstinence syndrome.”
So, are you addicted to your cell phone? How should you respond in determining your possible status of addiction? First and foremost, you must take an inventory of mobile device usage and evaluate whether it is excessive. Second, it would be prudent to test your ability to endure a certain amount of time without a cell phone or mobile device (in other words—NO screen time). Third, once you have the results, investigate setting up a Family Media Plan. The American Academy of Pediatrics has developed an online guide to assist with developing a personalized plan for your family and kids of all ages.
Why is this important? As believers, we serve a great, gracious, loving, merciful, just God…and a jealous God. The first commandment given to Moses on Mt Sinai was “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:1-3). We are not to have anything (person, place or thing) that is above our relationship to God the Father through Christ the Son. When we give in to the addiction of screen-time, then that device, that app, that social media outlet takes God’s rightful place in our life which, simply stated, is sin. When we can’t eat, visit with others in person, drive, or even go to the bathroom without our mobile device taking center stage then there is a serious problem. Just like any other kind of sin the consequences can be disastrous and most often result in failed marriages, broken families, wrecked vehicles, and even financial ruin.
If you are reading these words and realize that you have fallen captive to this type of sin, please know you are not walking this road by yourself. Do not wait to ask for help for yourself or for your children that, as a parent, you suspect may be addicted to their phones. This epidemic has the potential to cause serious spiritual erosion. We are called, as a body of believers, to come alongside each other, encourage and exhort one another, and pray for one another (1 Thess 4:18; 5:11; Heb 10:25; Jas 5:16). May we be found faithful in doing just that!
Pastor Brent
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