As we live in a culture saturated by technology and constant digital noise, God calls us to be set apart—renewed in mind and spirit. Tech addiction is not just a mental or behavioral health issue—it’s a spiritual battle for our attention, our identity, and our peace.
The Battle for Your Attention Is Real
Do you find yourself checking your phone first thing in the morning? Do hours slip away while scrolling social media, watching videos, or chasing endless notifications?
You're not alone—and it's not your fault.
The Digital Mind Control Conspiracy
Modern technology is intentionally designed to hijack our attention. Social media and search engines and browsers are constantly collecting our information, called Data Mining. They use algorithms to learn what interest us most. Those algorithms drive our social feeds and search results to encourage users to stay online for longer and longer periods of time... all with the goal of selling more advertising. But it's even more insidious than that. They already know our demographics: age, sex, home address, income level, political affiliation, religious beliefs, past searches and purchases, etc... they then learn what we like by measuring the amount of time (in milliseconds) spent viewing the not-so-random items they offer in our feed. Then, they begin to manipulate the feed based on all this information to use our human nature (sin) to keep us engaged.
They know that with every swipe, like, or ding, our brains release dopamine, a feel-good chemical that keeps us coming back for more. Over time, this creates dependency as real as alcohol and cocaine and without it, we experience anxiety, restlessness, irritability, distraction, and spiritual disconnection... and our smart phones makes it even worse by offering us immediate and unlimited access to what is killing us, not just anywhere at any time but everywhere at all times. But it's not just us they are after. They are also after our kids.
Two recent studies show dangerous trends in American youth today. The first showed that by age 12 most (71%) American children have a smartphone. A whopping 42% have it by age 10. And a mind-blowing 91% carry this highly addictive technology by age 14. The second is even more disturbing, showed youths with smartphones are 31% more likely to suffer depression, 40% more likely to be obese (not just overweight), and 62% are not getting sufficient sleep.
Like us, they simply can't put it down. This is terrible news. Because smartphones are not simply access to social media, games and information. An unrestricted smartphone allows our kids a "no ID required" pass through the front door of the "Worlds Largest Adult Bookstore." It gets them front row seats at their own personal, 24-hour-a-day strip club. It is their virtual pimp to a never-ending-variety of sex workers that will do anything for dollar. And, that same smartphone may introduce them to the thousands of child predators who traffic our children in unspeakable ways.
As leaders in Christian recovery we are also noticing a major trend: Young Christian men who are deeply addicted to pornography. This addiction destroys their chances of getting married, having children and living a life more abundant. The access to that destruction is almost exclusively through their smartphones. And, that same smartphone that allows access to all this destruction, entices them deeper into this behavior, suggests even more destructive options and then records every step of it in a vast warehouse of data that will never go away.... and may in fact be used to control them for the rest of their lives. Doesn't that sound just like the plan of our enemy? Is this remarkable technology truly for our benefit? Or is it a tool of our enemy... a modern day tree of knowledge of good and evil?
Kids and Smartphones...
What Is Tech Addiction?
In the history of manufacturing, the smartphone is the only product that has ever been designed to consume the consumer. Like the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein or the dinosaurs created in Jurassic World, " the scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." While they created today's smartphones to be powerful tools, they also purposefully designed many of their functions to be EXTREMELY addictive. Even the vivid colors and blue light emitted from the screen has been proven to be moderately addictive. Don't believe it? Try going without yours for an entire day. And remember: Somehow everyone got along just fine without them up until only a few years ago.
Every time we receive a notification or scroll our feed, our brain releases small hits of dopamine—training us to crave more of that stimulation and reducing our ability to focus, rest, or be present. When stimulated repeatedly this way the dopamine receptors in our brains become more resistant over time but, the behavioral connection is already made. That means we will constantly have to consume more and more for the brain to feel the same response. The more we consume, the more disconnected we become—from God, from people, and from ourselves. This is not God's design. Satan's plan is to keep us distracted from our purpose and disconnected from God.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “You become what you behold.” When algorithms shape our attention, they also shape our desires, our mood, and even our view of the world. But God calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2)—not conformed to a feed built on clicks and profit. At Thrive, we believe spiritual freedom involves taking authority over our technology so it no longer takes authority over us.
Introducing Wisephone
Thrive has partnered with Techless, creators of the Wisephone... a smartphone designed to set you free from digital addiction.
This is not a flip phone. So, you don't have to explain it to your friends and colleagues. This is a high functioning smartphone made by Samsung. It allows you to make and receive calls and texts nationwide and operates on both ATT and Verizon networks so, you'll stay connected to work and loved ones. It has an amazing 50 mega-pixel camera for photos and video so you won't miss capturing those special moments. It has GPS maps to help you navigate and ensure you're never lost. You can add apps from a list of pre-approved and vetted tools that don't mine your data or manipulate you.
No social media. No app store. No distractions. Offered in muted colors that do not interfere with our natural rhythms.
Order Your Wisephone Now
Every purchase supports Thrive’s mission to help individuals walk in holistic, Christ-centered freedom. Thrive Exclusive Offer: Use code THRIVE at checkout for a special discount!
Not Ready to Switch Yet? Start Here.
You can still take powerful steps toward digital freedom with the phone you already have. Try Implementing These Tips on Your Phone Today:
✅ Delete social media apps from your phone
✅ Get rid of all gaming and dating apps (most are spying on you anyway).
✅ Turn off all notifications
✅ Use grayscale mode to make your phone less stimulating
✅ Schedule daily “screen-free” blocks of time
✅ Don’t charge your phone in your bedroom (yes, you may need to get an actual alarm clock).
✅ Check email only three times daily: morning, noon and 5pm.
✅ Set business hours on your phone: Take business calls from 9am to 5pm Mon-Friday.
✅ No technology on the Sabbath.
Download Our Free 7-Day Digital Detox Plan
Real People. Real Freedom.
"Switching to the Wisephone gave me my peace back. I sleep better, pray more, and am present with my kids again."– Thrive Community Member
Walk in Freedom
Digital freedom isn’t just about deleting apps. It’s about reclaiming your time, your mind, and your spiritual clarity. Join us as we pursue lives of peace, purpose, and presence—fully alive in Christ.
