Contributed by Myrna Lapres at coachmyrna.org
Technology as a Tool to Strengthen Self-Control
Josh Shipp, author, global youth empowerment expert, speaker, and former at-risk foster kid says that every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story. To hear about his own powerful experience with an adult who cared about him and helped him change the course of his life, click here. I believe that Josh has some solid advice for parents navigating the often bumpy road of raising healthy, happy children and youth.
As parents, we know one of the challenges that we face in helping our youth navigate healthy boundaries is that of cell phones. The question isn’t really a matter of “if” my child will have a cell phone but “when.” For all of us, the goal is become a well-rounded person who can coexist with technology, not be ruled by it. And of course, as parents, we need to help our kids to this as well.
If you are feeling more than a little freaked out about this, you are not alone. After all, with any smartphone, kids have at their fingertips all that the internet provides including social media, cyberbullying, porn, creepy strangers and more! However, as parents, we cannot let fear rule our decisions.
We need to remember, Josh Shipp says, that our kids are good people who we love and trust most of the time. What we need to do is empower them to make responsible decisions and to help them understand that a cell phone, like all privileges, is a responsibility. He has created a cell phone contract to support parents in having conversations and making guidelines with their youth cell phone use and responsibility.
Josh says, “Self-control is like a muscle that can be strengthened and improved. Technology is a great tool to strengthen self-control.” Click here for Josh Shipp’s Teen Cell Phone Contract.
