In part two of the Overcoming Technology series, Dave and Bethlie continue unpacking how smartphones and social media quietly reshape our habits, relationships, and spiritual life — and what to do about it. Building on Tony Reinke's 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You, they walk through the specific ways technology damages attention, relationships, and reflection, then move into practical, doable changes.
Recap the 12 ways phones change us (from Tony Reinke's book), continued from Part 1:
- Phones constantly pull our attention away from the present moment (and the "seven-minute foundation" needed for meaningful conversation)
- Digital interaction often replaces physical presence with people around us
- Online metrics drive an unhealthy desire for affirmation (likes, followers, influencer culture)
- Skimming digital feeds reduces deep reading comprehension
- Endless entertainment is available at any second (the disappearance of boredom)
- Online personas mask true self-understanding
- Digital connectivity frequently leads to isolated lifestyles rather than true community
- Screens provide private access to harmful or distracting imagery
- An overload of trivia crowds out deep reflection
- Constant checking stems from anxiety over being disconnected
- Impersonal digital spaces lower our patience and kindness in communication
- Constant notifications eliminate the silent spaces needed for prayer and calm thought
The four-step framework for overcoming technology:
Determine if you need to overcome technology (are you controlled by it? better because of it? how is it affecting your kids?)
Educate yourself (read books, research — they recommend The Tech-Wise Family and 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You)
Recognize the damage it can cause (the list above)
Determine the changes needed — practical steps discussed: Set time limits (using phone settings or a timer/Alexa)
- Change habits (phones out of the bedroom, off the table at meals, a charging basket)
- Replace with something better (a regular watch instead of a smart watch)
- Silence notifications and check at scheduled times
- Remove non-essential apps (or access certain platforms only on a computer)
- Turn off notifications and keep the phone on silent
