Scientist George Stibitz
To think that there was a time when computers were unheard of by the majority of people around the world. It was in 1937 in the USA, that scientist George Stibitz built something on his kitchen table that would become a demonstration circuit that proves the logic behind the design of computers. The rest is history. In the USA alone, IBISWorld,an organization that provides research on thousands of industries globally highlights that the percentage of families that own a computer is at 93.3%. We are not even talking about how many computers per household, but the fact that 93.3% of families categorically own a computer. That’s computers. Then we have the onset of the internet which began in the 1960s as a way for government researchers to share information.
A Different Time
Parents are navigating much more in this day and age than we did raising children thirty years ago when there was limited exposure to the internet or computers. We now call them “devices” since it is just not computers anymore; rather we have phones with internet connections, we have iPads, and we have wristwatches with internet connections. In fact, it is stated that the average household in 2023 from North America and Western Europe, has 3.6 devices, the greatest growth from 2.4 devices back in 2018. That is a lot! And each device comes with its own set of nuances. I still remember the first device my husband and I gave our daughters for their first church camp. We bought the device from Walmart- those prepaid toyish-looking cellphones. Our daughters were elated to have a phone. Since it was prepaid, when the money ran out, so did the ability to use the phone. Let’s fast-forward to our time now, when even a 3- year-old has his or her own device.
The Challenge for Parents
If devices were the only thing parents had to contend with in this age, that would be good. But, in addition to devices, parents of younger children ages 3- 9 years old, have the extra responsibility of monitoring their children’s use of social media. Let’s take a walk down how this unfolded and how social media have become the idol of our culture. The first social media came as electronic dots and dashes with the telegraph machine in 1844. Through the years, we have seen the launch of many social media platforms, such as MySpace and Friendster. The launch of Facebook in 2004 set the takeoff of our social media culture. The Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri has been collecting the evolution data of social media for some time. Their evolution data indicate that Americans use of social media was 5% in 2005 when Facebook went live, compared to 72% in 2019. That number is definitely higher in 2023. So, with all this intensive connection children now have with multiple devices, parents are faced with a huge responsibility in helping their children (elementary, middle, and high school) be responsible social media citizens.
World Social Media Day
June 30th is designated as World Social Media Day– a time to celebrate all things social media. Many parents might not be aware of this day, it is a thing! The rise in the use of social media could be an indication for human connection, which God placed in humans when He created us. Humans were created for a need of connection to God and others. Genesis 1:26-27 states, “Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” So God created humanity in His image; In the image of God He created [humanity]; Male and female He created them.” While Romans 1:12 shows us the inherent human design for connection with others, “That is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
Parents Seize the Day
So, as social media icons celebrate the advancement of social media on June 30th, parents, it’s your day to teach or reteach what your family values are relating to social media. How much social media do you want your children to consume? Use June 30th to teach them and guide them. Let your children know the pros and cons of social media, so they are equipped and empowered to navigate the social media culture. It is important to teach them about cyberbullying and generative AI. This is your day, parents, seize the day!
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