Technology Addiction

Technology Addiction

Cell Phones, Devices, Hazards
Click here--> Technology Addiction | First NRC Modern Media Committee *Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.
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Oculus Quest 2 Review

Oculus Quest 2 Review

Devices, Gaming, Hazards, Reviews
According to the webpage, oculus.com/quest-2/, Oculus Quest 2 is “an all-in-one headset filled with hundreds of unique experiences.” These experiences include playing games, doing a virtual tour of places around the world, and working out. It appears the main focus is to get teens and young adults to play games and “lose track of time” (also cited on their webpage).  To “lose track of time” is a very dangerous reality many gamers face. Time is a God-given gift that He instructs us to use to seek Him. Ephesians 5:16 speaks about “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” This tells us that we must be wise about how we spend our time. In regards to the gaming aspect and being “immersed” in a virtual reality, Oculus Quest 2 can…
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Tinder App Review

Tinder App Review

Cell Phones, Devices, Hazards, Reviews
Tinder is an online dating app used by 7.8 million people in the United States alone, making it the most popular dating app in the US.  Of that, 75% are male, 24 % are female, and 30% are married.  With those statistics, one can see where problems lie in using an online dating app, which, as correctly defined on the Tinder website is a “popular app for meeting people” and “the possibility of forming connections that could lead to more”, or as most users know it as a “hook-up” app. Here is a basic rundown of how Tinder works for a person.  Once a user (supposed to be an 18 year age requirement) sets up their profile, Tinder can “match” them with other users.  From there, the user ‘swipes right’…
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Sensual Addictions

Sensual Addictions

Events, Hazards, Pornography, Resources
On Parent's Day, Rev. Witvoet spoke about Sensual Addictions:  Smoother than Oil, Bitter as Wormwood.  This is an informative topic for older children and adults to help us understand how addiction works and the dangers of pornography.  You can listen to the topic here.  If you are looking for help regarding addiction, resources can be found here.
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Modern Media Book Recommendations

Modern Media Book Recommendations

Guidelines, Hazards, Pornography, Resources
To read to your children: Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young KidsGood Pictures Bad Pictures is a comfortable, read-aloud story about a mom and dad who teach their child what pornography is, why it's dangerous, and how to reject it. Using easy-to-understand science and simple analogies, this ground-breaking book engages young kids to porn-proof their own brains.The 5-point CAN DO Plan teaches kids how to avoid the brain-warping images of pornography and minimize the troubling memories of accidental exposure that often tempt kids to look for more and lead them into a dark and destructive addiction. To stay safe in the digital age, kids must install an internal filter in their own brain. Good Pictures Bad Pictures shows them how.https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Porn-Proofing-Todays-dp-0997318732/dp/0997318732/ref=dp_ob_title_bkThe above book is age-appropriate for ages 6-8 and older. …
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Porn Addiction Resources

Porn Addiction Resources

Pornography, Resources
We’ve compiled a few online and local resources as a starting point on your road to recovery as an individual or as a couple.  This by no means an exclusive list, there are many other excellent resources out there but hopefully this will put you in the right direction.  * Please note, that although we have found valuable information from the following sources, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions of these services or third-party websites.    There’s A Hole In My Sidewalk “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” by Portia Nelson  This poem has become widely known in many addiction recovery circles.  It is an incredibly powerful metaphor describing the change process that often occurs with addiction & recovery.  I walk down the street. 1. There is…
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Socializing Online

Socializing Online

Apps, Hazards
Chatting with a few friends on Messenger or What’s App isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right?  Look at that question from another perspective: Meeting with other friends at one of their homes for a few hours to talk isn’t a harmless way to pass the time. Right? Does one of those questions strike a chord with you more than the other? That could depend on your age. It could depend on what generation you were born in. It could also depend on how you were raised and what you learned as you grew up. As the generation of adults who grew up without the internet ages, the generation of children who grow up knowing nothing but a screen in the face ages as well. We see it…
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Digital Addiction

Digital Addiction

Hazards
“Son won't turn off his video game? Daughter obsessed with ‘likes’ on Instagram? It may not be entirely their fault. Like the high-octane sugar in a pint of Ben & Jerry's and that irresistible chemical spice in Flamin' Hot Cheetos, the ingredients in social media, video games, apps, and other digital products are carefully engineered to keep you coming back for more.” Common Sense Media has recently published an article describing the science behind digital addiction.  Please read and ponder how this may be affecting you and your family members…  The article includes some helpful tips to manage the “tricks” that are built into these digital products.  (Note - there are references to specific social media examples that we do not endorse) Link to Article *Please note, that although we have…
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