I‘m not sure about your experience, but I clearly remember the days when I was growing up in my early teen years when using the internet meant having to disconnect the home phone line and plug it into the desktop computer, wait for the internet to ‘dial-up’, and then cut the time short and disconnect everything so my parents could use the phone. Back then, you had to make the choice between a phone call and being on the internet.
This is very different to life now, where we are always connected; the internet is fast, it is easy to access limitless information, and still, technology continues to change rapidly. Our digital landscape has evolved, and in reality, this has not taken a long time at all. Technology is literally everywhere: homes, workplaces and schools are filled with technology. The advancement of technology continues to blow my mind when a new app or gadget comes along that we are told will make life easier. However, we all know too well that whilst technology can be exciting, fun and mind-blowing, we can also see the brokenness of technology in relation to how it can attract and capture the hearts and minds of us all, sometimes in horrible, unproductive and unhelpful ways.
At Northern Christian School, our hope is that we equip students for life both now and for the future, guiding them to exercise wisdom and discernment in their daily choices, and this includes the use of technology. As I reflect upon this, particularly concerning our students living in such a digitally-saturated world compared to what I grew up in, our hope is that as a Christian school, we can support you as parents and nurture your children to be responsible stewards in their use of technology and employ wisdom and discernment to navigate through and flourish in this digital age.
Daniel Sih, an award-winning author, TEDx speaker and productivity expert with 20 years’ experience working in senior leadership and strategic consulting roles, has written a book ‘raising tech-healthy humans’ to educate families and provide them with the tools needed in this digital age. As a parent himself, Daniel understands that parenting today is tough and believes that much of this has to do with the evolution of technology. As a Christian parent, Daniel has adapted his original book for our community to specifically highlight the Lordship of Christ over all things, including technology, and how to use wisdom and grace on this journey.
Northern Christian School has gifted every family with a copy of ‘raising tech-healthy humans - Special Edition’. This has been placed in your child’s bag today. If your child does not return to your household today, a copy will be provided at the appropriate time to come home to you.
We think it is vital that we support you in your God-given role as parents to navigate this important issue with your children. This book is very helpful and practical (and not too long) with the aim of promoting the healthy use of technology. As Andy Crouch, a well-known author writes, “The pace of technological change has surpassed anyone’s capacity to develop enough wisdom to handle it. The challenge we face is this: if we don’t learn to put technology, in all its forms, in its proper place, we will miss out on many of the best parts of life in a family.”
I hope this resource is a helpful handbook as you continue to work hard to put technology in its proper place in your family, where God is glorified and honoured.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Bethany Armstrong - Principal
