According to the dictionary, addiction is “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming”—like drugs or behavior.1 While most of us think about addiction to drugs and other substances, have you ever looked at your kids and said, “You’re addicted to that phone”? Dopamine is “the culprit,” according to PsychologyToday.com; dopamine is involved in our kids’ love of Facebook, Twitter, and texting—instant gratification.2 As parents, let’s educate our kids, but, ultimately, let’s point them to Christ. Psalms says it best, “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (107:9, ESV).

1Dictionary.com

2“Why We're All Addicted to Texts, Twitter and Google” by Dr. Susan Weinschenk, PsychologyToday.com

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Psalm 107:9