Introduction.
Definition: Technology is the is a division that majorly focuses on creation, usage and the familiarity of machines, tools, techniques or modes of organization in an effort to unravel a lingering problem or execute a specific task. It is also an entity of knowledge and skills that deals with the design and the application of technical methodologies and their interrelation with the existence, the surroundings as well as, the social order. It brings in disciplines such as industrial arts, pure and applied sciences as well as engineering.
Technology has with time considerably affected the human and animal ability to adapt and take charge of their naturally habitats. Its effects on the society as a whole have been both negative and also positive. Some inventions have made the human race so much proud of their achievements and also made the human life better and more convenient. However, as it has become evident with time, the inventions have had their fair share of setbacks. This has in turn led to moral degradation, posing of potential disasters and even causing of more deaths. The Christian faith has not been spared by the both the negativity as well as the positive aspects of technology. Today the church in so many cases has found it hard in choosing what to embrace and what not to. This is because the worst hit is the youth who are the backbone of the continuity of the Christian faith. It is evident that the youths are at the forefront at innovation and embracing of technology that have revolutionized how the church operates and strengthened the Christian faith. Here, we shall have a close look of the effects that have come with such inventions on the Christian youth.
Development of technologies and its effects on Christian teens
1. The invention of cell phones
Positive effects:
a. The invention has made communication so much easy for the entire human generation. Today one can pass a voice message which is far much more reliable as compared to the old fashioned methodologies of communication such as mails. The young people in the church today can access the internet from the comfort of their mobile phones. It is through the online channels that they get to evangelize to the many other young people around the world.
b. At the same time, it is faster, cheaper and convenient for the Christian teens to communicate effectively on among themselves. This strengthens their faith since help encouragement and comfort from a brother or sister is always a phone call away as the saying goes.
Negative effects:
a. With the invention of the cell phones, the young people have been the worst hit and affected by its adverse effects. The cell phones have with time become an addiction to so many people. The individuals are ever using their phones and as a result, exposed them to other dangers such as road accidents. As a result of human inability to concentrate on so many tasks at the same time, the church is losing so many young people to road crashes that result from them using their phones while driving.
b. The cell phones have also been attributed to some medical conditions as a result of the radiations that they produce due to the high prevalence of the young Christian youth using the mobile phones, they are exposed to this radiation that may cause cancer and other complications in the brain.
2. Use of the internet.
Positive effects:
a. Internet connectivity came in as one of the greatest inventions in the human history tat has totally revolutionized human life. Through the internet, the young people can find the sermons from all over the world, interact with other believers around the globe and do some evangelical work, as opposed to having to go to such places physically.
b. The internet has also provided a source of employment to so many young people. This has made them remain focused and avoid taking part in social evils such as immorality and crime in an effort to make ends meet.
Negative effects:
a. The internet has proven to be extremely much addictive to the teens especially. It has made them turn into lazy and rebellious individuals since they entirely opt to rely on the internet for everything. Some teens compromise their faith and trends so as to satisfy their fantasies that they get over the internet.
b. It has also led to moral degradation as a result of development of pornographic materials and at the same time some violent captions. This has vastly led to the increase in more teens abusing drugs and engaging in premarital sex, an act that is not consistent with Christianity.
3. Use of machines/ automations
Positive effects:
a. The use of automations came with it advantages and solutions to many problems in society. It is through automated systems that there has been efficiency in industries, and this has in turn reflected to lower costs for goods. This is directly attributed to the higher standards of living as a result of cheaper goods needed by the human race. It is thanks to these systems that most teens can afford their basic needs.
Negative effects:
Automation has rendered so many young people jobless. This is because the labor that was initially provided by individuals can now be controlled and operated by use of machines. This has in turn seriously affected the teens and led to despair among many. Subsequently, an increased number of Christian teens have turned to engaging are theft, crime, social evils and immorality.
4. Inventions in the field of medicine
Positive effects:
a. As a result of the inventions that have come up in the field of medicine, many lives have been saved. The use of technology to make surgeries and correct deformations in a human body for example, has had an exceptionally impact in the lives of the teens. They feel fulfilled as they get an opportunity to be whole like the other people and this strengthens their faith.
Negative effects:
a. The field of medicine has been abused in the past by many young people for their personal gratifications without considering the harm coming with it. Some teens are not so much comfortable in how they look and so may attempt to alter that to look in a way they suppose is more acceptable. This is inconsistent with the Christian faith of loving oneself and appreciating that each person is made in the image of God.
b. Other young people have also used drugs such as cocaine that was initially used for medicinal purposes, but later individuals have abused it. This has had adverse effects on their health and mental stability converting most young people into non productive members of society.
How parents can assist their children in mitigating the effects of technology
Parents ought to give guidance to the teens on what is right and wrong according to Christianity. In this way, they will equip the young people to be able to make prudent decisions on what technology to uphold and what not tom take in. At the same time, the parents are expected to monitor and control what their children are exposed to at a tender age. A parent may discourage their children against some of the internet sites, but it is also their responsibility to try as much as possible so as to eliminate the temptation. For example, if there is internet connectivity at home, the parent may have to block some of the sites that may have content that is not suitable for them to view.
Conclusion
Every technological invention and growth has its own advantages and has led to making the life of the human beings a lot easier. However, the inventions have their own adverse effects on the life of human beings. This is more so if the technology is abused. It is for this reason that Christianity cannot segregate itself from embracing change in technology but, both parents and the young people have the responsibility of guarding against its negative effects. It is, therefore, the responsibility of every Christian teen to make their decisions on what to embrace when and how after critically analyzing the consequences coming therewith. It is also the role of the church to help in explaining and supporting the young people.
References
Brigman , R. (1999). Eye Wittness Technology. New York : Dk Publishing.
Macgill, A. (2008). “Pew Research Center: Parents, Teens and Technology.” Pew research .org. 24 Oct. 2007.
