We all know that friendship and connection to peers are a critical part of what it means to be human, especially during childhood. The question parents must contend with is what kind of peer connection do children need, and how does that connection shape a child’s character, faith, and worldview? Because we all know the smartphone is the most convenient tool for this connection, but at what cost and with what risk?
In Part 9 of our series evaluating the proposed benefits of smartphones for kids, as described by Dr. Peter Gray on his Substack, “Play Makes Us Human,” Kelly challenges the claim that adults have ruined childhood in the physical world and that children have wisely recreated it in the virtual world.
Articles referenced:
Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely
The Culture of Childhood: We’ve Almost Destroyed It
Scripture referenced:
Genesis 2:18
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Proverbs 27:17
Romans 1:19-20
Proverbs 22:15
Proverbs 15:5
Proverbs 30:17
Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 10:1
Exodus 10:12
Proverbs 13:20
1 Corinthians 15:33
Galatians 5:19-21
Ephesians 4:29
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Ephesians 6:4
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 12:1-2
Products referenced:
Tin-Can “home” phones
Pinwheel “home” phones
Need a kids-safe phone? Pinwheel is our favorite!
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