Marshall Ballantine-Jones, CEO of DigiHelp Publishing and founder of Resist Ministries, dives deep into the intersection of faith and technology. He discusses the impact of tech on adolescents and offers a biblical perspective on managing online behaviors. Marshall explores the nature of addiction, emphasizing the importance of self-control and accountability in our tech habits. He highlights how early Christian communities faced similar challenges, urging listeners to find true joy through spiritual growth while navigating the digital landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Technology Reflects Human Intent
Technology is a human enterprise for improving how we do things, reflecting the Genesis mandate to subdue the earth.
It can serve good purposes or be misused for harm depending on human motives and ethics.
insights INSIGHT
Neuroscience of Addiction Explained
Addiction rewires the brain by diminishing self-control areas and over-activating reward systems.
Dopamine and bonding hormones create attachments to addictive behaviors, reinforcing compulsions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Marshall's Personal Addiction Story
Marshall admitted a lifelong struggle with dopamine addiction through computer gaming since his youth.
Despite his awareness, he still combats compulsive social media use professionally and personally.
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In 'Dopamine Nation,' Dr. Anna Lembke delves into the scientific discoveries that explain why overindulgence in high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli leads to pain. The book combines personal narratives from her clinical practice with the latest psychology research to illustrate how to find contentment and connectedness by keeping dopamine in check. Lembke discusses the impact of modern addictions, such as those related to smartphones, food, and other behaviors, and provides strategies for managing consumption and transforming lives. The book emphasizes the importance of balancing the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery[1][3][5].
The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt
In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.
The Gospel and Technology
Marshall Ballantine-Jones: Technology, Addictions and Affections
How does Christ love us to use our time? And how do we recognise when our technology habits are diminishing our discipleship? Marshall Ballantine-Jones discusses the nature of compulsion and how Christ nurtures us in love and self-control.
Marshall has worked as a publisher, Anglican pastor, youth worker, financial analyst, and programmer. He has completed a PhD on reducing the negative effects of pornography and sexualised social media behaviours on adolescents. He is currently the CEO of DigiHelp Publishing who develop school-based solutions for online behaviour challenges. He is also founder of Resist Ministries, an initiative that assists churches to address online sexualised behaviours.
Podcast Discussion Questions
Read Titus 3:1-14. What are the best ways to use our time under the Lordship of Christ? How do we recognise when our time, relationships and desires are ruled instead by compulsive technology use and the pursuit of pleasure?
What do we need most in order to change our compulsive behaviours and grow in self-control (Galatians 5:16-26; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7)?
What are some ways you need to grow in righteousness and self-control in relation to technology? How will you go about confessing and putting your sin to death?
How can you grow in your affection for Christ and all he has done for us through his Word? What plans can you put in place to grow in love for Christ and glorify him (John 15; Ephesians 4:15-17)? And what conversations can you have with Christian brothers and sisters to encourage godly use of technology?
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