Finding Joy on the Web

In preparing for our group's upcoming webinars I have decided to start brainstorming over what I will share in our presentation. Due to midterms I have been neglecting my blog and I hope that this post will be the beginning of a long line of blogs on this topic. Our group plans to have all our material ready and then have a practice webinar with each other, present to a family or two and then eventually give a fireside to a family ward. We outlined our topics in our last iteration:

CONNECTION: Audrey

Forming the connection and how to use media to spread good rather than evil. This includes sharing things with friends and family.
-Share examples from a teen perspective and from a big sister perspective.
-Building the establishment of trust and openness
-Presenting challenges to give to their teens

CHANGE: Cami

Dealing with change and the rush of digital culture.
-Closing the technological gap between generations
-Set regulations and still be open to change
-Ensign article Keeping Safe and Balanced in a Google-YouTube-Twitter- Facebook- iEverything World

BALANCE: Jake

-Discuss his “conversion”
-Also cover how to decide consumption of digital media using expert advice, personal experience,
and Church resources. (Not just making that decision based on fear or one facet.)
-Examples of balance/ importance of “unplugging” sometimes
-President Eyring’s talk

DIGITAL LITERACY: Allie

-The “how-to” of resources for the family, including LDS apps

YOUR FAMILY: Rebecca

-What does all of this mean for your family? Every family is different
-Snapshots/examples of how different families have found connection, growth in change, balance, and digital literacy in different ways
-Cater this information to your family through prayer, family counsel, FHE, etc.

As I was going over these ideas this morning I had the thought that maybe we should switch up the order of our presentations. Not that I really want to go first, and I know that as we build our material we will easily be able to transition and fit everything in together to make sense. But I thought that maybe we should have a few opening lines about why we chose to focus on the family and connectivity and then go into the more broad idea of the change, development and positivity of digital culture (stating that the digital age calls for more than just consumption, but also creating and connecting). Then focus on the power of connectivity through the digital age, give warnings about keeping a balance, then the how to, and then applying it to individual families. But this is all just a thought, let me know what you think.

Just a few more brief ideas on what I will focus in in my section:

-Change is inevitable. Our digital age changes more quickly than anything has in the past.
-Quote from Finding Joy In the Journey by President Monson:

I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”
Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.

-Another quote (from the same talk):

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.
This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

-Apply this to the use of the internet—the internet makes our lives change more quickly, it can be stressful and we can easily get caught up in the negativity associated with the internet and digital culture—but we must remember that the internet can also be used for good.
-Mention Web 2.0?
-Digital culture doesn't have to be just a time-waster—provides a positive space to consume, create, and connect. The internet is not only a place for consumption. You can use it for many great things. We would like to help you embrace the change and embrace your families through digital culture. Change brings opportunity.