In a world where technology rules our hearts and homes, the call to faithful stewardship has never been more urgent.
Whether you are leading others, caring for vulnerable children or nurturing a family, how you engage with technology matters.
We’ve all seen the warning signs – from distracted parents to the rise of youth anxiety and depression, there is something deeply troubling about the myriad ways technology has impacted the development of children and formation in our homes.
2x
Diagnosed anxiety more than doubled among US college students from 2010* to 2018. (source)
*The year smartphones crossed the 50% threshold of ownership among America's youth.
60%
By 2022, nearly 60% of adolescent girls and about 30% of boys report experiencing multiple mental health complaints each week. (source)
62%
The number of US children reporting their parents are “too distracted to listen to them.” (source)
How does technology impact children who have experienced early adversity?
Children who have experienced early adversity — including abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, loss, chronic illness or instability early in life — often develop vulnerabilities in the very brain systems responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control, attention and healthy connection.
While technology does not create these vulnerabilities on its own, digital media’s powerful reward systems can interact with them in ways that amplify existing challenges. This contributes to vulnerable children’s susceptibility to unhealthy or problematic technology use.
Early adversity changes how children’s brains respond to rewards
Early adversity can alter developing brain systems, making some children more susceptible to misusing technology. For children whose brains have already been shaped by toxic stress, digital experiences that provide distraction, stimulation, comfort or escape can feel especially rewarding and difficult to step away from.
Problematic technology use is linked to higher levels of adversity
Research has shown a relationship between higher levels of early adversity and a greater likelihood of problematic technology use. Children who have experienced foster care placement, adoption-related disruption, abuse, neglect or household instability are more likely to struggle with controlling media use and using technology in ways that interfere with sleep, relationships, learning and daily functioning.
Technology can reinforce the struggles adversity creates
Habitual engagement with digital media can strengthen patterns of impulsive reward-seeking while reducing opportunities to practice self-regulation, attention and emotional coping skills. Over time, this can create a reinforcing “spiral” for vulnerable children.
Vulnerable children need healthy role models
Technology struggles in children who have experienced adversity are often rooted in deeper developmental and emotional needs. Understanding this dynamic helps parents and caregivers move beyond simply restricting screens to providing intentional support and healthy connection, while modeling better technology use and habits themselves.
For leaders. For caregivers. For families. For the Church.
Rule Your Tech (So It Won't Rule You)
A Christian Leader’s Guide to Wise Tech Use That Keeps You Calm, Focused and Flourishing
Rule Your Tech (So It Won’t Rule You) helps you flourish in an age of digital distraction with biblical wisdom, neuroscience and practical habits that reclaim attention and set life-giving boundaries around technology.
Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age
Navigate technology wisely for the children your organization serves
Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age is a practical, faith-based, science-informed guide equipping Christian organizations, professionals and caregivers to navigate digital technology wisely for the children they serve, especially those impacted by early adversity.
Screen Limits for Family Flourishing
A practical guide to technology, parenting and the habits children need most
Screen Limits for Family Flourishing offers a biblically grounded, research-informed guide to help you set wise screen limits. This booklet helps you move from simply managing screens to intentionally shaping home life around what matters most for your children's health and growth.
Download this free booklet and begin setting practical screen limits that support your children’s safety, healing and flourishing.
What the Evidence is Telling Us
This collection of articles and resources will equip you to respond with wisdom — from understanding the unique challenges of early adversity and technology to guiding those in your care and cultivating home environments where proper technology limits and good habits allow flourishing to take root.
This study shows how a history of adverse childhood experiences is significantly associated with more problematic media use, and suggests attachment may influence media use both directly and indirectly.
Children with a history of ACEs, as reported by caregivers, had higher problematic media use compared to children without ACEs.
Limiting screens for your family doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Numerous studies have found that even relatively small changes make a dramatic difference–with lasting effects.
A free resource for the teens in your life. Phones and apps are designed to grab your attention. Create simple boundaries for more focus, better sleep and more space for the things that matter most to you. Choose from the ideas in this resource to create a tech rule for yourself that you and your parents will agree on.
If you lead a ministry, church or organization, discover practical resources and rhythms to help you flourish amidst a life of pouring out.
The Soul Care & Formation initiative at CAFO equips Christian leaders with biblically rooted practices to cultivate healthy souls and lead teams in faithful, fruitful service for the long haul.
If you lead or work within programs serving children, dig deeper into best practices and resources for your ministry.
The CAFO Research Center provides research-based insight and practical resources to help you to confidently care for vulnerable children and families worldwide with excellence.
If you are a parent caring for foster or adoptive children, find practical resources to support health and healing in your home.
The Institute for Family Centered Healing & Health at CAFO is devoted to the lifelong success of families, helping Christian foster and adoptive families with daily habits and Christian practices to experience healing and deep connection over time.
Join the Technology Conversation This Summer
We’re talking about the impact of technology on our lives, homes and ministries all summer long on the CAFO blog. Read more from the CAFO team and join us on Aug. 26, 2026 for a live webinar introducing new resources to help families, caregivers and leaders navigate technology in ways that support the flourishing of children and families.
