Influence of Technology on Adolescent Development and ...

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LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION

A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

By Kevin Daniel Monahan West Palm Beach, FL

December 2009

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Copyright 2009 Kevin Monahan All Rights Reserved

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LIBERTY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS APPROVAL SHEET

_______________________________ GRADE

_______________________________ DR. DAVID NELMS

GRACE FELLOWSHIP WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

_______________________________ DR. DOUG RANDLETT

THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT....................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................1

Statement of the problem ...................................................................................2 Statement of limitations .....................................................................................2 Theoretical Basis ............................................................................................3 Methodology ................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................10 Children, youth and media technology around the world............................................12 Role of television on adolescent & children............................................................13 Radio amongst adolescent & children ..................................................................15 Internet and Adolescence .................................................................................16 The Adolescent Online World.............................................................................17 Approach of Print Media..................................................................................22 CHAPTER 3: ADOLESCENT RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY.............................................................................................24 Electronic Media and Adolescent Communication ....................................................26 Academic Framework ....................................................................................32

v Adolescent relationships and electronic media technology .........................................33 Peer Relationships and Electronic Media...............................................................34 Aggression and Electronic Media .......................................................................38 Dating and Electronic Media .............................................................................41 Relationships with Acquaintances and Strangers .....................................................44 Changes in Social Relationships from Electronic Media ............................................53 The Influence of Parent and Electronic Media ........................................................54 The Education System and Electronic Media ..........................................................58 Identity Development and Electronic Media...........................................................59 CHAPTER 4: ADOLESCENT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT .....................................62 Stages of Spiritual Development..........................................................................68 Spiritual Growth Paradigms ..............................................................................73 Religiousness and Collective Identity ...................................................................77 Technology and Churches: An Interview ...............................................................83 Video Technology ..........................................................................................84 Electronic Mail Technology ..............................................................................85 Internet Presence ..........................................................................................85 Satellite Technology........................................................................................86 Technology and Longevity ................................................................................86 CHAPTER 5: HYPOTHESIS TESTING .................................................................88

vi CHAPTER 6: RESEARCH DESIGN ...................................................................89 CHAPTER 7: ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS .........................................................91 CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................104

Research Findings......................................................................................105 Recommendations........................................................................................108 For Additional Study ....................................................................................111 BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................ix VITA........................................................................................................ xvii

vii ABSTRACT INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION Kevin D. Monahan Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2009

Adolescence is the time when a person develops perceptions about religious thoughts and with proper guidance, can be a stronger follower of Christ. The purpose of this project is to analyze the effects of technology on young people and to show a direct correlation between the influence of technology and spiritual growth of adolescents. I will argue that both the positive and negative influences of technology have made our students more informative yet less personally intimate. This shift of personal interaction presents a challenge to the cognitive development and spiritual formation of all students.

Abstract length: 94 words

DEDICATION

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To Meghan: my wife, my love and my very best friend. No one has more to celebrate than I do.

To Jacob, Aidan, and Olivia: I love you and pray that you will glorify God in all that you do. Thank you for calling me Dad.

To my dad, Dan Monahan, thank you for all of your support, I could not do this without you.

To my mentors: Pastors Tom Mullins, Todd Mullins, Doug Randlett, Merle Martin, David Nelms, Jimmy Fogleman, Bill Keith and JohnMark Oliver: You have all inspired, challenged and formed me to be more like Jesus. Thank you.

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