Navigating Technology in the Family: Insights from Katie Prejean McGrady

Catholic thought leader and media personality Katie Prejean McGrady shared her thoughts on a topic that resonates with many families today: managing technology in the home. Katie, who is known for her work on Sirius XM’s Catholic Channel and her insightful commentary on faith and culture, offered practical advice and personal anecdotes about how to balance technology with family life.

The Challenge of Technology in Family Life

Gerardo opened the conversation with a fun anecdote about how Katie once predicted his marriage—a light-hearted story that highlighted Katie’s knack for insight and connection. This set the stage for a discussion on a more serious topic: the role of technology in the family. Gerardo, a new father, expressed his concerns about how his young son is already drawn to screens, a worry shared by many parents today.

Katie acknowledged the reality that screens are everywhere—on our wrists, in our pockets, and all around us. As a mother of two, she understands the challenges parents face in managing screen time for their children. “Screens are part of our lives,” she said, “but as Catholics, we need to shape the culture to make it healthy and safe for our children.”

Practical Tips for Managing Screen Time

Katie offered several practical strategies for managing screen time in the family. One approach she and her husband have adopted is the use of a device called a “brick,” which disables social media apps during specific times, such as dinner and family time in the evening. This helps them be fully present to their children without the distraction of phones or tablets.

Katie also emphasized the importance of setting positive boundaries rather than simply restricting screen time. For example, in her household, screen time is earned through positive actions, like completing chores or reading books. This approach helps children see screen time as a reward rather than a right and encourages them to engage in other activities first.

One memorable moment in the discussion was when Katie shared a personal story about her daughter, Rose, who had to physically push Katie’s phone out of the way to get her attention. This served as a wake-up call for Katie, leading her to adopt more intentional habits around technology use.

Addressing the Influence of Peers and School

An audience member asked Katie about the challenges of dealing with peer pressure and the influence of technology in schools, particularly in a public school setting where many students have personal devices. Katie acknowledged the difficulty of this situation and suggested a community approach, such as the “wait till 8th” pledge that some parents in her community have adopted, agreeing to delay giving their children smartphones until they reach eighth grade.

Katie also stressed the importance of substituting screen time with better, more engaging activities. For her family, building Legos together has become a favorite analog activity that requires focus and creativity—qualities that screens often diminish.

The Role of Technology in Evangelization

The conversation also touched on the role of digital media in the Church’s mission of evangelization. Katie noted that while screens can be a source of distraction, they also offer powerful tools for sharing the gospel. She highlighted the importance of parishes embracing their unique identities and using digital media to reach people in creative ways.

Katie shared an example from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many parishes began live-streaming Masses. She recalled a conversation with her sister, who lamented the lack of creativity in many of these streams. This experience underscored the need for the Church to not only adopt technology but to use it in ways that truly engage and inspire the faithful.

The Example of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Gerardo asked Katie to share her thoughts on Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian who has become a patron of the digital age. Katie spoke passionately about Carlo’s integrity, both online and in life. When investigators examined Carlo’s digital footprint after his death, they found nothing incriminating—no evidence of him engaging in harmful online behavior. This, Katie noted, is a powerful example for young people today.

Carlo’s life demonstrates that the internet, when used properly, can be a tool for good. He created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, combining his love for technology with his deep faith. Katie emphasized that Carlo’s example shows that it’s possible to live with integrity online and use technology to draw people closer to God.

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

As the session drew to a close, Katie offered a few more insights on how families can balance technology with faith. She encouraged parents to lead by example, setting clear boundaries for technology use while also showing their children how to use it positively. Katie also reminded the audience that technology, when used wisely, can be a powerful tool for evangelization and building community.

For those looking to follow Katie’s work, she mentioned several upcoming events and opportunities to connect, including book signings and live podcast recordings at the National Eucharistic Congress.

Katie’s message was clear: while technology is an inevitable part of modern life, it doesn’t have to dominate our lives. With intentionality, discipline, and a focus on faith, families can navigate the digital age in a way that enriches their lives and brings them closer to God.