Just Asking with Peter Banzon
Why is it important to teach kids NOT to watch inappropriate stuff online?
Children of this generation are called digital natives because they are comfortable using gadgets, the internet, and social media.
With the pandemic, kids are spending more time online and run the risk of being exposed to many things. Their immaturity hinders them in filtering what they see, hear and read online. Parents need to take on the responsibility of guiding their children online.
God commanded parents to, ”Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. (Proverbs 22:6)
Here are some suggestions to help teach your kids what is appropriate.
- Provide ongoing values education with your children. Teach kids what is appropriate by introducing them to Biblical principles of right and wrong. Using Bible stories to instill values is a great way to start teaching and having conversations with your kids. Be alongside your children and know what they actually watch and what links are being fed to them online. Pop up ads often appear and may contain harmful material that portray violence, vulgarity, obscenity or pornography.
- Install parental control apps on the devices that your children use. There are free apps like Google family link for parents that can help you monitor what they are actually watching or the sites they are visiting on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers. You may not be with them all the time, but these tools can help you know their online habits.
- Limit their screen time after online classes. Children spend several hours a day for their online school so put a time limit on their screen time after their schoolwork is completed. It would be healthy for them to spend time outside of the digital world. Plan activities that help them play and have exercise without the use of digital gadgets.
This is a critical time in your children’s lives but, by consistently using God’s word to lead and guide them, they can become the people God wants them to be.
