Technology has brought many changes to modern life, including to the most important human relationships, such as family and God. More and more articles and testimonies have been published about its negative effects on family relationships – marriages destroyed and children competing for their parents' attention. Perhaps most people swept away by this current don't even realize they are victims of an addiction that seemingly has no consequences, but which has caused family members to lose true connection with each other and especially with God. Consider the following testimony from a mother:

“I was trying to get my kids ready to go out one day. All parents know how hard it is to get children dressed and out the door on time; sometimes it's a test of patience. Let's not even talk about the dilemma of forgetting one of a pair of shoes, which always happens when we're running late.

One morning, my 3-year-old son was "talking" on his toy phone. I told him it was time to get dressed and put his toys away. He turned his back on me. What? I took a deep breath to help control my irritation and told him again to put the phone away and come get ready. He waved his hand, dismissing me. Now I was truly furious. I yelled, "Come here now!" He let out an annoyed sigh and said, "Hold on! I need to check my messages!"

I was stunned! It was like a bucket of cold water over my head. He was imitating me! That's how he sees me when I'm on the phone and he's trying to get my attention. I never imagined I was so rude and impatient with him. Needless to say, I felt deeply ashamed... I'm addicted to my phone. I don't just use it to communicate with friends and family, but to read e-books and magazines, watch shows, check the weather, and take notes. It's an extension of me. Occasionally, it's even a babysitter when I'm shopping and need my son to be occupied with something so he doesn't start throwing a tantrum in the store..."

This mother continues the text recounting what she has done since recognizing her addiction to overcome it and try to improve her relationship with her son. She has stopped answering and checking her phone during meals and times when she is playing with her son. She tries to warn him in advance when she needs to make or take a call, and often allows people to leave a message to respond to when she's not busy.

The Bible brings a severe reprimand for those who neglect the care of their family: "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8.

While we must recognize that electronic devices, such as smartphones or tablets, are part of most people's modern lives, we cannot allow them to hinder our relationship with our children. Consider this advice from God for mothers: "Let not the mother allow her mind to be occupied with too many things. ...With the greatest diligence and strict vigilance, she must care for the little ones who, if left to themselves, will follow every impulse that springs from the depths of their inexperienced and ignorant hearts." Child Guidance, 56.

If caring for our children were the only reason to consider, it would already be sufficient reason to change our habits regarding technology use, especially if we understand that we are responsible for their salvation. But the bigger problem is the legacy we are leaving for our children through our influence on their lives.

A survey by the Common Sense Media association interviewed 1,240 parents and their children earlier this year (2016), and the results indicated that:

59% of parents feel their teenage children are addicted to their phones

50% of teenage children feel they are addicted to their phones

27% of parents feel they are addicted to their phones

28% of teenagers feel their parents are addicted

Perhaps the above results don't alarm you much, but look at the last item from the survey: 69% of parents and 78% of teenagers check their phones at least every hour.

Although they don't consider themselves addicted, these people are obviously dependent on electronic devices, and the saddest part is that these numbers indicate that addiction in children's lives is surpassing addiction in parents' lives.

Excessive time wasted, especially on social media, has taken away time we could be dedicating to family, but even more frightening are the emotional and spiritual damages we can suffer. Generally, on social media, people only post the good things that happen in their lives: photos of trips, parties, good times with friends. When we see all this and our own life doesn't seem as fun or as full of good moments, we tend to foster negative thoughts of discontent with our own life or family situation. This type of feeling is just a symptom of the new "mental illnesses" attributed to excessive internet use.

When we consider the spiritual aspect, the consequences can be even more serious. Our mind is the primary instrument through which God communicates with us. When the mind is constantly fed with unnecessary information that doesn't contribute to our communion with God, we lose precious time that we could be using to reflect on our own lives, influence our families, and grow spiritually. Even if the information is good, the fact that it's in excessive quantities contributes to mental confusion and other harms that are now recognized by science.

The Brazilian psychiatrist and writer, Augusto Cury, identifies the damage caused by information overload in the mind as Accelerated Thinking Syndrome, or ATS. According to him, this relentless torrent of information arriving via TV, the internet, and other communication channels results in a society of “overthinkers,” always restless, unfocused, and suffering from anticipation. Other studies have already begun to draw a connection between Alzheimer's disease and information overload in the mind.

When the almost obsolete email (according to some) began to gain popularity in the past, information started reaching us much faster than before, in the era of mail and telephone. As if that wasn't fast enough, Facebook and other social networks emerged to make information even more accessible and faster. Currently, WhatsApp and others have arrived to truly ensure that our minds are continuously receiving information about countless people, facts, and topics. But were we truly created to have immediate access to so much information? Isn't this ability to be aware of everything happening around us a distorted and harmful form of “omniscience,” an attribute that only God possesses? From the beginning, this has been Satan's desire and insinuation: to be like God and to have the same knowledge as Him (Genesis 3:5), and we slowly accept this as normal in our lives without even realizing the consequences it can bring.

In stark contrast to all this physical, mental, and spiritual rush that the world offers us, God extends a truly radical invitation to us:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

The prudent and balanced use of modern communication means can be a blessing to simplify life and even be used as a way to lead people to Christ, but we need to discern between the necessary and superfluous use of social media. God desires us to have a peaceful life for a very special reason. He invites us: “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. Our Father desires us to have time and a tranquil mind, free from unnecessary stimuli and information, so that we can be in constant connection with Him and know who He truly is.

May God give us strength today to change habits that may be hindering the most important connections in our lives: family and God.

“My soul finds rest in God alone” Psalm 62:1.

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