2 Tech Updates: “The Holy Spirit Ain’t Coming to Zoom” & “Is My Kid Playing Too Much Video Games?”
Hey Threadies!
Hope you’re well. If you aren’t caught up on Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered, here’s just a few things you’ve missed:
Tech Updates
In the era of social distancing, the guys haven’t been going to church–including the available Zoom services. And they don’t feel bad about it. Church is about people more than anything, and not actually being with the other people–just doesn’t have the same feel. Jason’s family tried doing a church service via Zoom, but it didn’t feel right. In Jason’s words: “the Holy Spirit ain’t coming to Zoom.”
I get that. Although I haven’t really hung out with anyone, not in the traditional sense, I’ve been doing FaceTime and occasionally Zoom. My kids have meetings with teachers and classmates. But everyone is kinda meh… about it. Better than not seeing anyone at all, just. . .not the same.
During the show, Ben mentioned that he was concerned that his teenage son might be playing video games too much. His son played online with friends until near sun-up, slept most of the day, but then did the things he was asked to do when he woke up, sometime after 3pm, with a cheery disposition. Ben, like many parents of gamers, sometimes wonders: Should I let my kid play video games that long, or should I make them go outside?
I asked R. K. Holliday, author of Alone Together: Why Your Kids Are Watching Others Play, a book the gives a peek into the perspective of children in regards to streaming and gaming, what he thought about this.
Should I let my teenager play video games all night?
“I think it really depends on the age of the kid and the types of games they’re playing.” Teens are wired to stay up late, but your 9 year old needs sleep. But in regards to teens playing til the wee hours right now he said, “All gaming hours have gone up since COVID, so I wouldn’t worry too much about long game times. The question I would ask if the kid is playing a solo offline game or gaming with friends and chatting all night. Once you see if it’s a social thing they’re doing or staying up all night being alone, you can address that a differently. One is just pushing the button and fighting sleep, one is spending time with friends.”
So if your kid is playing, what seems to you an unsettling amount of video games, you have a few things to consider:
- Are they too young to stay up as late as they are?
- Are the games age-appropriate
- Are they playing solo, or “hanging out” with friends?
- If they’re playing online, do you know who they’re playing with?
So think that over, check out R.K. Holliday’s book, Alone Together: Why Your Kids Are Watching Others Play, and make sure to take care of yourself.
How do I do that, you ask? One easy way is to check out our other blogs, like: 10 Cool Things to Do While Sheltering in Place, Mindfulness: Powerful Self-Care for Your Mental Health, or Mental Health (Or a Lack Thereof) in the Workplace.
One last tech note
And if you need someone to talk to, try Threads‘ sponsor, BetterHelp.com: Affordable, private online counseling. Anytime, anywhere. And if you sign up as a Threads Podcast: Life Unfiltered listener, you get 10% off the first month.
Last thing. Listen to the show, then visit the guys’ social media page (or go straight to your favorite: IG – FB – Twitter) where they’re giving away $5 Starbucks gift cards to listeners who take a short survey to help them deliver the best podcast possible.
Thanks, folks. Take care!
-CT
Christopher Tallon writes, plays guitar, and laughs at his own jokes.