The Tech-Wise Family || Book Review

I finally read The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch after I discovered it was on my "To Read" list twice! I know I added it on one occasion during a conference when a speaker recommended it, but I can't remember when the other time would have been. At any rate, if there were two separate occasions where I considered it interesting enough to add to my list, I figured I should probably make a point of reading it! And I'm glad I did.

According to the wealth of research shared throughout this book, technology is considered by modern parents to be one of their greatest challenges in parenting. And children also have their own concerns about it. So how do we put technology in its proper place, and what even is that?! Author Andy Crouch shares with us the Ten Tech-Wise Commitments his family made in their quest for a balanced life, along with the how and why of each.

"Technology is in its proper place when it helps us acquire skill and mastery of domains that are the glory of human culture (sports, music, the arts, cooking, writing, accounting; the list could go on and on). When we let technology replace the development of skill with passive consumption, something has gone wrong." ~Andy Crouch

While you might expect a book like this to tell you all the things you shouldn't do and shouldn't buy, I discovered it is a very long way from that and in fact the sheer number of devices present in the author's own family left me feeling rather tired! Instead, this book takes a much more balanced approach of utilising all the benefits that technology offers, and reducing the hazards it involves so it doesn't take over our lives. 

As suggested by the subtitle: "Everyday Steps," the suggestions in this book aren't reliant on some fairytale world to be effective; they are realistic and practical for application in the real world. They would work for a tech geek, or someone who makes a living online. At the close of each chapter the author briefly discusses how well his own family has kept the commitment he's just discussed, providing further insight to how the suggestions should be beneficial and not legalistic.

Having read this excellent book I've made a few adjustments to my own life, and will likely make more. I was also reminded of some things I would like to do with some of my younger siblings before their childhoods disappear and I look forward to making memories with them as we undertake some new activities and experiences. The Tech-Wise Family is a great resource for anyone seeking balance in life who uses digital technology on a regular basis. I've included a link where you can purchase it below.

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