by Susannah Allen, Early Childhood Director & Student Support
We live in a world that seems to be changing faster than we can send a text message. Social media, the internet, and smartphone apps give us minute by minute updates about the world around us. Texting, tweeting, and tagging are terms that were not even around a few years ago but are now a part of our daily lives. Even more concerning, our children are often ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. Studies show that more than half of all children use social media by the age of 10. Some even before then! So, do we know what our children have been exposed to in the cyber world today?
It is now more important than ever to stay connected with the daily technology habits of our children. I want to encourage the TSA family to be more proactive about monitoring our children’s interaction on social media, the apps they download, and the websites they are viewing. We need to educate ourselves on the latest trends in technology and the material our kids may be using and discovering. We have a generation of children being exposed to too much too young. The statistics of school-age children encountering pornographic material and child predators are alarming. And those same encounters are far greater statistically with teenagers. We live in a time when we simply cannot afford not to know what our children are viewing on their devices!
Let’s make a pact to plug into what our kids are doing. Who are they texting or tweeting? What are they googling? What apps are they downloading? Now is the time to stay alert. Talk to your children about what is appropriate and the kinds of consequences or repercussions that may occur for inappropriate use. Check their phones and computers periodically to hold them accountable. Acknowledge the fact that you are aware of what they are up against, and let them know that you care too much not to stay connected to every part of their lives!
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Links to more information on Internet safety:
List of organizations to aid families with internet safety
9 Most Dangerous Apps for Kids – Crosswalk Ministries
Kids Health – Social Media Article
Internet Safety Article – Troy Baptist Church
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