Taking Charge of Technology

How can you know what is or is not an appropriate use of technology?

Randall L. Ridd, former Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, said:

Your choices determine whether technology will empower you or enslave you. (“The Choice Generation,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 57)

technology, agency

Read the following passages. Mark words or phrases that show the Lord will provide help to guide us in our lives.

• Exodus 13:21–22

• Psalm 119:105

• Isaiah 2:3, 5

You may want to link these passages together.

Make a note next to one of the passages with your response to the following question:

• How does knowing this truth impact how you choose to use technology?

Take a moment and consider how you use technology and what currently guides how you choose to use it. As you study today, pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit.

The Church has created a resource for youth called Taking Charge of Technology. Its three key principles can help you as you strive to make better decisions about your technology use.

• Purpose. I can use technology with a purpose. It doesn’t control me.

• Plan. When I plan ahead, I feel better and make better choices.

• Pause. It’s OK for me to pause and take a break.

Watch the video “Taking Charge of Technology: The Challenge” (3:18). Look for why people might feel such a strong attraction to technology.

3:18

We can use the principles of purpose, planning, and pausing to help us use technology for good. The rest of the lesson will focus on having a purpose.

To help us use technology with a purpose, we can turn to the Lord and His counsel, found in the scriptures and words of His prophets. Based on the Lord’s teachings, we can create questions to evaluate our use of technology and help us be more intentional.

Choose three of the following passages. As you do, complete one or both of the following questions:

• Will using technology in this way …?

• Is my use of technology distracting me from …?

In 2 Nephi 9:51, the prophet Jacob explained that we should seek things that bring satisfaction, not emptiness. We could use this advice to complete the statement: “Will using technology in this way bring satisfaction or emptiness?”

1. Matthew 22:36–39. Jesus teaches the two great commandments.

2. Moroni 7:45. Moroni shares his father Mormon’s teachings about charity.

3. Doctrine and Covenants 50:23–25. The Lord teaches about light.

4. Doctrine and Covenants 63:16. The Lord warns about adultery.

5. Read one of the four paragraphs under the “Invitations” heading of the “Walk in God’s light” section of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2023).

Elder Peter M. Johnson of the Seventy taught the following about how our use of technology can connect us to the Lord and His power.

10:7

Technological advances are amazing, but if we are not careful, they can distract us from fulfilling our divine potential. Using them appropriately can bring forth the power of heaven. …

Let us be careful and not casual in our use of technology. Continually seek for ways that technology can draw us closer to the Savior and allow us to accomplish His work as we prepare for His Second Coming. (“Power to Overcome the Adversary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 110, 111)

making choices, agency, technology

In your notebook, list some of the ways you are using technology. Using the questions you created, evaluate your own use of technology. Think about things you are doing well and where you could improve. The Lord is eager to help you plan to be careful in your use of technology. Write down any impressions you receive from the Holy Ghost.