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Rhett Smith is a pastor, therapist, blogger and technology savvy guy.  During his Echo Conference session, he talked about not letting social media and technology replace your in-person relationships.  Here are a few notes.

• Family is Rhett's accountability for using new tools. How will using a new technology effect my relationships with my family?
• "My vocation is, at each moment, to make the person in front of me the most important person in my life."  -Ronald Rolheiser.
• It's not healthy to completely disconnect from technology all the time. Likewise if it becomes enmeshed with you, you don't have a sense of who you are.  Integration of technology into your life is the best option.
• You can be lonely even if you're uber connected through technology.  Formation of relationships, with technology as a mediator, leads to your identity becoming a collection of external images than who you really are. 
• With technology, we develop a reflected sense of self.  Then you need constant validation. We like the way people see us online.  You go online for validation and ignore your relationships.

Boundaries. It helps you define who you are and build in person relationships.

• Time limits.  You shouldn't be plugged in all the time.
• Physical. For example have a basket and have the family puts all of their technology for a certain amount of time.  It's a physical reminder that tech doesn't define your relationships.
• Tech Sabbath. Once a week have a day where you don't get online at all.  It shows people our relationships matter and it tells us something about God.
• Ask Others. People can tell you if you're good at setting tech boundaries.
• Strive for face to face.
• Be creative and experiment. What are your own ideas for boundaries?

I asked Rhett about creating boundaries with technology when it's your job.  What if you get paid to blog or do social media as your job?  He said it's good to create boundaries at work, too. Set aside times to do certain things like answering email, tweeting, etc.  Interact face to face with co-workers.  Use it as education for readers saying, "I know it's good to unplug."  Just because it's your job, don't let it becomes an excuse not to shut down.

Closing thoughts.

• We need to unplug at least a hour before bed so your brain can shut down.  It's science.
• Technology is not neutral. Using it will transform you in some way. Do you think about how you will change if you start using a new technology?