The Center on Media and Human Development in the School of Communication at Northwestern University recently published “Parenting in the Age of Digital Technology: A National Survey,” which highlights ten key findings. This list includes:
- parents still turn to family and friends for parenting advice far more often than to new media sources like websites, blogs, and social networks,
- parents do not report having many family conflicts or concerns about their children’s media use, and
- parents assess video games more negatively than television, computers, and mobile devices.
So What?
The church has long been a place where people turn for opportunities to learn more about parenting. As people of all ages rely more and more heavily on the digital word, there are many implications for parenting.
- What educational opportunities does your local congregation offer parents in the area of parenting in the age of digital technology? How are these offerings determined?
- Which, if any, of the findings above surprise you. Explain.