How to Stop Being Chronically Online: A Guide for Christian Moms

If you read Part 1 of this topic, then you are aware of how dangerous the concept of being “chronically online” can be. As Christian moms, it’s important for us to be in the know about what’s going on both online and in the world, but it is also easy to slip into an addiction that strips us of our relationships and critical thinking skills.

Read more >>> Why Christian Moms Shouldn’t Be “Chronically Online”

In this post, let’s talk about the different ways we can stop being chronically online. The simple answer is to spend less time online, but how does that work in practice?

Reducing Internet Usage

Set limits on your device

One practical and quick way to limit your online presence without deleting anything is by setting app limits on your device. iOS devices offer the “Screen Time” feature, where you can set time limits for different apps, block certain content, and more. Android devices offer similar features as well.

I have yet to research this, but I’ve heard apps themselves sometimes offer time limit options as well. This is definitely something worth checking out depending on the app.

Hide distracting apps

Did you know you can remove apps from your home screen but still keep them installed? I like to do this if I find myself opening Facebook or Instagram too often, especially if it is starting to become involuntary the second I unlock my phone. I don’t want to remove the apps entirely since I obviously use them for networking and blogging, but having them hidden from the home screen deters me from tapping them mindlessly and requires me to actually take the time to search for them.

Charge your devices elsewhere

This is a common tip people recommend if you have trouble with scrolling through your phone the second you wake up or before you go to bed. You can’t pick your phone or tablet up constantly if it’s not within reach!

Make your devices more low-profile

The last time I had to upgrade my phone, I didn’t choose a pretty color or a giant screen. I actually chose the smallest option and opted for the lowest-profile look, black. I chose a clear phone case as well. I don’t know why, but this was a huge help for me to stop wanting to check my phone all the time! Sometimes when I get a flashy or pretty new thing, I’m more inclined to want to use it as much as possible. Now, I actually lose track of my phone in the house a lot because it blends in so well lol.

Change Your Mindset

Setting an example

Everything we do sets an example for our kids. What does your online activity tell your kids? What do they think your priorities are based on that? This is something important to think about.

What are your goals in life?

Every day I see more and more people insisting that the most important thing in life is to be happy, even if it means at the expense of others. It’s very easy to be selfish, to choose the comfortable route, to ignore everyone but ourselves. That’s the sad reality of living in a fallen world.

But as Christians, and mothers, we have a higher calling than that.

We can’t claim to be followers of Christ and refuse to serve others when Jesus was selfless. We will be terrible mothers if we don’t love and nurture our children.

Our goal in life should be to spread the gospel and serve others in love, hands down.

Putting those goals into practice

When you log into your social media, what is your intention? Is it to doom-scroll about the latest outrage? Is it to compare yourself to others to make yourself feel better, or to wish you had it better? Or perhaps it’s to indulge in childish behavior to avoid real world responsibilities?

I can promise you I’ve done all of these things myself!

But when we shift our goals to be those of Christian values, our intentions begin to change.

I always try to remember Philippians 4:8 before I interact with anything on social media:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Philippians 4:8

Of course, thinking about these things does not mean sacrificing the first thing: Truth. We must always stand up for the truth, even when the world defines truth differently. But we can do it in an honorable and commendable way.

Be blameless

Okay, that’s probably not completely possible, since we all slip up and make mistakes and nobody is perfect like Jesus. But as the internet becomes more and more intertwined with everyday life, perhaps it should be a goal of ours to avoid letting our internet footprint get too out of hand.

Don’t post or share things you’ll regret later. Think about things prayerfully before you share. Consider not commenting flippantly on things when you feel the impulse. Take time to carefully research, study scripture, and pray on the topics you encounter instead of spouting every opinion immediately. (Pro Tip: often times, once we’ve posted an opinion online, we can feel “locked into it” and are afraid to change our minds later because people will bring up the old opinion again. “Cancel Culture” is sadly not friendly to the concept of growth and change.)

When we live by the standard of Biblical truth and grace, we can avoid unnecessary, un-Christ-like squabbles and prejudices that will be on the internet–and leave an impact on our lives and others’ lives–forever.

It takes practice

As I said in Part 1 of this topic, I used to be terribly chronically online. I was rude and overly-opinionated, and I pushed friends away at the drop of a hat if they disagreed with me. I didn’t have thoughts of my own, I just got fired up about whatever the loudest people were fired up about.

But since I’ve implemented these different tips, I am so much happier. My life is more peaceful; I’m less anxious about every little thing. I don’t worry about whether someone at church saw my latest angry rant on Facebook, and instead socialize naturally. My mind stays focused on my faith, my marriage, my kids, and my home instead of glued to Facebook or Instagram.

Do I still slip up and get sucked into an internet trend or news story here and there? Of course! But it’s nowhere near as bad (or embarrassing) as it used to be. My faith has grown stronger and so have my relationships, and I continue to learn and grow each day.

You can do it too!

Do you think you’re chronically online and want to fix it? Let me know if you do any of these tips already or which ones you want to try!

God bless,