technology Archives

Stalking Your “Ex” on Facebook

Have you ever looked up your “ex” on Facebook?

By “ex” I mean either your former spouse or someone you once dated.

If you have, you wouldn’t be alone. According to some recent research, 48% of Facebook users admit to looking at their ex’s profile too often. Of course, “too often” is a subjective term. But if nearly half of those polled are acknowledging perusing a person’s profile excessively, you can be sure the number of those looking once or even twice is higher still.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: relationships, technology October 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Cartoons Bad For Children?

There’s a new study out that suggests when compared to gentle and slower animated fare, “fast-paced” cartoons negatively (and immediately) impact a child’s ability to think creatively and regulate their behavior.

Are you surprised?

This would seem to fall into the “common sense” category, especially given the numerous studies through the years about the detrimental impact of television on children. For example, a highly respected study sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics several years ago recommended no television for children under the age of three.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology September 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Texting Lingo Every Parent Needs to Know

Assuming your son or daughter has a cell phone, do they text?

The Pew Research group recently concluded that most teens prefer texting to talking – with a third of them sending over 100 messages a day.

Tolerance for this type of behavior varies by family, of course, but almost no parent would knowingly permit their son or daughter to text crude, lewd or obscene messages.

But what about more vague or coded communications?

It takes a deft and alert parent to stay up to date on texting lingo, especially since the lexicon is constantly expanding and often doesn’t make any logical sense.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology September 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Facebook Good for Your Child?

Writing in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, Shirley S. Wang reports:

Several recent studies have found that digital communications can lead to more or better friendships, online and off, greater honesty, faster intimacy in relationships and an increased sense of belonging, in addition to practical social benefits like an expanded circle for networking.

She continued:

… researchers found users expressed a significant amount of empathy online, and that the more time college students spent on Facebook, the more empathy they expressed online and in real life.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting, technology August 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thoughts on Violent Video Games

Over twenty years ago the Dakin toy company, then a well-known maker of cuddly stuffed animals for kids, ran a controversial advertisement in magazines and newspapers all throughout the country. With images of bloody knives, pistols and hand grenades framing the page, the headline asked the following rhetorical question:

“Is it any wonder the prisons are full?”

Still another ad in the series proclaimed:

“We help children develop more than their trigger finger.”

Directly beneath that ad was a cute little girl squeezing a Dakin teddy bear.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: pop culture, technology June 30, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does Facebook Cause Divorce?

Do you use Facebook?

There’s a new survey out this week suggesting that the popular social networking site is a major factor in 1 out of 5 U.S. divorces.

Are you surprised?

Before going any further, let’s be clear:

Facebook doesn’t cause divorce – people do.

But …

Over the years, the evolution of technology has always facilitated marital infidelity, at least for those so inclined. When the telephone was first invented, people were suddenly able to talk instantly with another person in a different locale.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, marriage, technology March 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Buy an Airline Ticket On . . .

Earlier this week we were talking with financial guru Dave Ramsey. Dave is an expert at helping families get – and stay – out of debt. In case you missed it, simply click here to listen to our discussion.

In the spirit of helping with family finances, the Wall Street Journal is out today with some interesting news.

Did you know that the very worst time of the week to buy airline tickets is over the weekend?

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, family, technology January 27, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does Apple Think Christianity is Offensive?

I am one of the nearly 500,000 proud signers of the Manhattan Declaration, a document and movement spearheaded by my friends Chuck Colson and Dr. Robert George. As drafted, the piece and its adherents proudly and unapologetically affirm support for the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty.

For the last few months, the organizers behind the Declaration have been trying to get Apple to reinstate an app for its iPhone users. Apple had originally approved the app, but pulled it after a small but well organized group of homosexual activists voiced their objections.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, pop culture, technology January 6, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Greetings from San Diego!

I am in San Diego today but headed back to Colorado Springs. Dorothy was right: There is no place like home!

But is there time to make one final run to In-N-Out Burger?

It’s been a whirlwind trip. Before we head for home, I thought I’d share a few thoughts.

The latest installment of Focus on the Family’s Celebrate Family Tour went off without a hitch last night. Author Lysa TerKeurst joined us for a terrific discussion about her latest book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, faith, friendship, technology December 10, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Hyper-Texting Teens and Sex

First and foremost, a very Happy Veteran’s Day to one and all!

Our hale and hearty thanks to our many veterans and active duty personnel.

May we always remember that freedom is never free.

Turning a corner, I wonder how many of you heard about the new study out this week that suggests teens who text 120 times a day or more are more likely to be sexually promiscuous or use drugs and alcohol than kids who don’t text as often.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, sex, technology November 11, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura