Tag Archive - parenting

New film for parents: God’s Technology

July 29, 2010 in Christian Living, for Churches

“Training our children to use technology to God’s glory”. If ever there was a time where this was essential, it’s now. A new video and study guide has been released for this very purpose, here’s what it’s about:

“In God’s Technology, Dr. David Murray presents a Christian response to the digital revolution. After laying the foundation of four biblical principles, he makes the case for disciplined discernment in our use of technology. He then presents a practical seven-step training program to develop disciplined discernment in our children, and he concludes by showing how to apply these seven steps to Facebook use.”

Here’s an intro to the film:

God’s Technology Trailer from Puritan Reformed on Vimeo.

I’ve just purchased the high-definition version of the film to check it out (It’s $5.99, and there’s also a low definition version and DVD). I’ve also downloaded the study guide.

I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to view the film and read the study guide.

Resources: How To Protect Our Children Online

July 8, 2010 in Integrity & Safety

This morning I delivered a seminar at St Mark’s Pennant Hills on the topic ‘How to protect our children online’. Thanks for having me!

Below are a list of resources I collected as I researched for the seminar, that I share with you now for further reading. If you’ve discovered other useful resources, let us know in the comments section below. I will continue to add to this resource as I become aware of other material.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email – steve@communicatejesus.com.

First, a recap on the 13 tips for protecting children online:

  1. Identify and communicate your values
  2. Model these values
  3. Introduce your children to technology
  4. Understand the mediums
  5. Use anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software
  6. Use accountability software and filters
  7. Know what your children are doing
  8. Keep communication lines open
  9. Be proactive in teaching your children
  10. Develop a set of family rules
  11. Encourage them to visit safe places online
  12. Pray for your children, and children everywhere
  13. Be gracious when they stuff up

1. Resources for parents

At the seminar this morning I also met a lady who works with Collective Shout. It is:

“a new grassroots campaigns movement mobilising and equipping individuals and groups to target corporations, advertisers, marketers and media which objectify women and sexualise girls to sell products and services.

Collective Shout will name, shame and expose corporations, advertisers, marketers and media engaging in practices which are offensive and harmful especially to women and girls, but also to men and boys.”

Keep up the good work.

On a related topic, I also spotted this in the Sydney Morning Herald this morning: ‘Here’s a spray of my own: this stuff really is on the nose. ’Lads’ ads’ are ironic, we are told. They are also brutally offensive.’

Our society really doesn’t know how to define masculinity and feminity, apart from crude, sexualised stereotypes.

2. Internet Filters and Accountability Software

3. Resources for teaching children and teenagers

A number of the sites listed in section 1 contain resources that are helpful for children and teenagers,

4. Pornography

I am convinced that pornography is one of the most destructive scourges of our age. More and more, research is revealing the addictive impact of pornography on the brain. Here are a couple of articles on this topic:

If you, or a friend or a child are struggling with porn addiction, I have a Christian friend and counsellor who specialises in this area. Send me an email (steve@communicatejesus.com) if you’d like more information.