Surviving the Digital Age: Strategies for Healthy Technology Use

Product Description

Overview

Technology, from smartphones to social media to virtual reality, is impacting our lives in ways no one could have predicted. While there are certainly benefits to these advances, being overly engaged with technology in its various forms can have long-term negative consequences for psychological and emotional health. Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D., discusses the mental health impact of being “plugged in” and offers strategies for managing technology use effectively.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

1. Explore current research on frequency and patterns related to engaging with technology;
2. Discover the positive and negative psychological effects of frequent technology use; and
3. Assess personal technology use and identify strategies for changing problematic behaviors.

Who Should Participate

Priests, deacons, men and women religious, lay ministers, and those involved in vocations, formation, or clergy and ministry personnel needs.

Reflection Questions

Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.

1. What is my relationship with technology? Do I use it too much, or do I avoid it entirely?
2. Am I aware of my own “digital footprint” and how that affects how I am perceived in a ministry setting?
3. Do I model healthy use of technology to those to whom I minister?