Pope Francis, the oustpoken spiritual leader of the Catholic church, recently spoke of a subject near and dear to many parents. He implored the youth of today to get off the couch and put down their tech toys. He wants them to get more active in their communities. I started to smile.

I recalled a public directed commercial depicting an overweight adolescent sitting in front of his computer. He called his grandmother and asked her to get him another soda pop. He used his handheld phone to call her on the house phone. She and he were a mere few feet apart. The look on her face was precious.

A professional journal article referenced a newfound “addiction,” that is, tech toys. Mental health practitioners are working with youth and even older folks who spend inordinate time with their tech toys. Some might suggest that the problem is more widely rampant. Age, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation have something in common. The number of folks who own and utilize their tech toys are increasing exponentially. Granted, there is benefit to utilizing the technology for informational purposes. I’m referring to balance.

No offense, mom and dad. Please be more aware, more vigilant to the amount of time your children use tech toys. Herein lies a dirty, sneaky little problem. Yesteryear, parents brought youth who smoked marijuana to therapists or substance abuse counselors to help alleviate an identified problem. What an interesting dilemma when the youth exclaimed, “Well, you smoke, why can’t I?” Some explanations were lame and a source of dissatisfaction. “Well, I’m an adult, you’re just a kid. It’s not good for you.” One can only imagine the comebacks from the youth. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, “Hey mom, dad … you’re on your iPhone, computer and laptop all the time.” Perhaps an exaggeration, yet another dilemma is faced.

You’ve probably noticed these scenes. The family gets together for dinner. The family watches a movie on Netflix together. The family is driving to some destination. In each, guess what the common observed scene turns out to be? Some or all at various times are on their handheld phone. The open dialogue is sporadic and fragmented.

Yes, we’re all busy. True and certain. We, as good parents, value our children. Striking a balance between tech time and, as Pope Francis states, time to give to your family, your neighborhood, your community may be exceptionally educational and rewarding.

I know that there are youth who have found that balance. They strike a joyous chord when giving to their world both at home and in the community. Therapists might reach a climactic point in treatment to suggest the aforementioned balance take place. A precedent has laid a foundation that might need an overhaul. Yet, maybe it’s not as bad as you think. Change in this case may start with looking within and asking yourself a tough question. Am I posing a healthy model for my children? By the way, here’s another question to ponder. Do I know what they’re doing on their tech toys? Herein lies a great opportunity for dialogue. Getting involved in healthy service to others will be beneficial for the highest and best worldly education.