Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, in the swamps of South Louisiana, many of us learned that trust earned freedom and freedom was kept by responsibility. We roamed woods, rode bikes for hours, and returned home when the streetlights came on. We learned from our friends, that the street light rule was universal. We also learned that neighbor families watched out for one another. Parents trusted neighbors, depended on routines, and parents taught us to live a slower pace of life. That rhythm taught resilience, independence, and confidence that not everything must be controlled to be safe.
Today, we have tracking apps that promise two things: confirmation of safety and peace of mind. At first glance those goals seem reasonable. Yet experts, and lived experience, show a different pattern. Constant monitoring can increase user anxiety, create false expectations of control, and erode trust. When we can see every movement but cannot control outcomes, worry often grows rather than shrinks. Technology can be a tool for care, but it can also become a false substitute for deeper family relationships and true faith.
For many, the impulse to monitor springs from a place of love and responsibility; a noble cause. For others, it reflects a deeper unease about uncertainty and a diminished sense of reliance on God. Some experts believe, faith in God has diminished, while at the same time, at least for now, religious activities are rising. People are praying more, church attendance is rising, and Bible sales are rising. This data reveals that more people say they trust in God, while deep down, the facts show, not so much. Hopefully, over time, that will change. Scripture calls us to cast our cares and worry on God, especially when we lack the ability of control. It also demands love of neighbor within the bounds of wisdom and courage. Technology, or any other tool, should never replace that spiritual posture.
Using technology wisely is smart, but leaving God out, is not. Think about setting clear family agreements about when and why tracking is used and revisit those agreements regularly. Prioritize family communication over surveillance. Talk with your loved ones about the importance of trust and teach them how boundaries strengthen that trust and fosters responsibility. Where feasible, build community support so neighbors and friends feel loved, making them more likely to share the burden of care. If tracking is used, limit it to safety windows and explain the reasons to those being tracked. Balance practical precautions with practices that cultivate trust. Create an environment of family prayer, family rituals, and shared respect.
I believe we can use new technology wisely, but maybe, placing the time-tested trust in God works so much better. Intelligence, love, and faith should guide our choices. Let faith shape how we use tools intelligently, not the other way around. When we blend prudent care with a deep trust in God, we model confidence for the next generation. Teach children to be brave and smart; parents, learn to let go a little, and breed communities that watch over one another with compassion. In a world on constant alert and filled with partial truths, the ancient practice of trusting God and loving our neighbors remains the surest path to peace.
If this is my last post, I want all to know, there was only one purpose for all that I have written; to have made a positive difference in the lives of others.
Anthony “Tony” Boquet, Certified Professional Business Coach, Solutionary, and the author of “The Bloodline of Wisdom, The Awakening of a Modern Solutionary” and “The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, A Devotional Timeline”