Several months ago, I listened to an audiobook called the Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch, which convinced me to change the way I allowed technology to dictate my life. In that book, he recommended reading/listening to The Big Disconnect by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Teresa Barker. The book had high reviews, so I decided to give it a listen!
The Big Disconnect did not disappoint. The chapters are mostly looking at children in the different stages of life: infant, toddler, teenager, etc. The authors do take a couple of chapters to elaborate on issues like parenting teenagers with technology and using technology to your advantage as a family. Since I am not a parent, I will give you my thoughts in the least judgmental way that I possibly can. Ha.
There are many suggestions about how we should treat technology today. I would argue that most of it is common sense, while the rest is preferential. There are, however, a few really important points that stood out to me.
First, there were multiple accounts of children feeling like they have to fight their parents’ phones for attention. Some would speak of phones like they were family members. This horrified me, mostly because I saw myself. I might have to get a flip phone when I have a kid.
Second, the effects technology has had on teenagers and the way they communicate is really, really shocking. A couple of chapters have graphic language and content, due to teenagers saying overtly sexual statements. The frightening thing about the statements was that they were the equivalent to saying, “Hello, I’d like to get to know you.”
The Big Disconnect was a 4 / 5. It is a fair and honest look at technology and how it seems to be affecting our youth. The authors do not claim to have all of the answers, but these are important questions. Read it!