The Idol in Their Hands: Technology & Kids
As school ends and summer begins, many parents breathe a sigh of relief—only to quickly inhale the stress of how to keep their kids entertained, occupied, and out of trouble. It’s tempting to rely on screens as digital babysitters. After all, screen time buys us time. But what if that convenience is costing our families something sacred?
This summer, what if we chose to build something more lasting than memories of YouTube marathons and video game levels? What if this became a summer of presence?
Presence Over Programming
When we launched the Presence Pledge, it started with a simple goal: put down your phone for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. What began as a marriage reset quickly evolved into a call for families to realign their homes around the presence of God.
Because here’s the truth:
Your children will mirror what you do, not what you say.
If we want our children to know the voice of God, they need to first know the face of a parent who is present—emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
The Golden Calf Glows Blue Now
In Exodus 32, while Moses was up the mountain receiving a word from God, the Israelites got impatient. They didn’t know how to engage God for themselves, so they defaulted to what was fast, familiar, and flashy—a golden calf.
They melted their jewelry and forged a counterfeit god. And they used the name of Jehovah while doing it. In their minds, they weren’t turning from God—they were just substituting His presence with something easier to control.
Sound familiar?
Today, we melt down our time, our peace, and our attention, and we cast them into glowing screens—TikTok, Cocomelon, YouTube Kids—believing they are neutral tools. But in the absence of true presence, these screens become more than entertainment. They become altars of distraction.
When presence is delayed or misunderstood, we turn to what is familiar, fast, and flashy.
Screen Time vs. Soul Time
Did you know that kids today average 4–7 hours of screen time per day, and that spikes to 8–12 hours in the summer? That includes TV, phones, tablets, and gaming consoles. But not all screen time is equal. Modern content, like Cocomelon and even Miss Rachel, has been shown to overstimulate young brains with rapid scene changes and high-pitched tones, often leading to:
Delayed emotional regulation
Reduced attention span
Dependency on fast-paced dopamine hits
Older shows from the 90s—like Little Bear, Reading Rainbow, or Mister Rogers—were slower, story-driven, and more relational. They offered calm engagement instead of chaotic noise.
But the goal isn’t just better content—it’s intentional presence.
Replacing Idols with Intentionality
So what can you do?
Start with the Presence Pledge for your whole family. Commit to two screen-free hours in the morning and two in the evening. But don’t just remove screens—replace them with presence:
Morning Ideas:
Family breakfast with an audio Bible playing
Walks or backyard play
Make the bed, light chores, creative journaling or drawing
Evening Ideas:
Family dinner with a "Where did you see God today?" question
Board games, puzzles, or storytelling
Worship music, prayer, or reading Scripture together in bed
Simple rhythms. Powerful results.
It's not about perfection. It's about posture.
Teach by Doing
Parents, this isn’t just about restricting your kids. It’s about leading them. If you are distracted, they will be too. But when you model stillness, Scripture, and meaningful connection, they will lean into it.
Even neighborhood kids will feel the shift. In our home, we have a no-phones rule for guests. Our kids have even started voicing that boundary themselves. You’d be surprised how much kids crave boundaries that lead them to peace.
Rebuild the Altar
It’s time to dismantle the golden calves and rebuild the altars in our homes. Let this be a summer of spiritual renewal—not just survival.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home.”
Don’t let a tablet raise your child. Let the presence of God shape them.
This summer, choose face time over screen time.
Burn the calf. Build the altar.
Your kids will thank you. Not just this summer—but for the rest of their lives.
👉 Sign the Presence Pledge at https://marriage.ryancoleempowerment.com/presencepledge
Watch the podcast episode that goes even more in-depth about this topic!