ADVERSE EFFECTS OF MODERN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES: A CASE OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NAKURU, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose: The evolution of MICT globally has rocked Christian families in various dimensions: socially, morally, psychologically and even emotionally. This study evaluates the adverse effects of Modern Information and Communication Technology (MICT) in Christian families in the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru (CDN), Kenya.
Methodology: Sociological Theory and Communication Theory guided the study. The study employed mixed method research design, which included both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. To obtain the sample size, the study used multi-stage and cluster sampling technique to select four deaneries as a representation of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. From a target population of 16,520 registered Christian families, Youths, Parish Priests, Chairpersons and Catechists, a sample size of 391 respondents from the four deaneries was selected who included the Parish Priests, Catechists, Chairpersons of Small Christian Communities (SCC), Parents and Youths.
Results: The study found that the use of MICT has weakened the interpersonal relationships among family members. The study further found that, MICT has contributed to poor parenting or lack of parenting roles. The study also revealed that, MICT has exposed children to pornography, which has attracted them to premarital sex and early marriages. In addition, the study established that, the use of digital technology in communication has introduced families to conflict due to personal interest in watching preferred programme and cyber-crimes.
Conclusion: This study concluded that use of Modern Information and Communication Technology (MICT) has adverse effects on Christian families in the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, Kenya
Recommendations: The study recommends that, the government of Kenya to come up with attainable and practical guidelines on the type of MICT programs to be airing in TV and the quality of their contents before airing or posting them in the social platforms in order to protect families and other innocent users from detrimental content. The study further recommends that, religious leaders to offer technical and moral guidance on how to engage MICT devices to contain their misuse. The study further recommends families to initiate open sharing, fraternal corrections, unconditional love and uninterrupted family prayers as preventive actions in order to contain the dangers arising from the negative usage of MICT. The study also recommends parental control over usage of MICT devices.
Keywords: Adverse Effects, Modern Information and Communication Technology, Christian Families
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