Children's Cyber & Physical Safety

When cell phones were first introduced they were used exclusively to make and receive calls when we are away from home.  Today, our cell phones are supercomputers.  In fact, they are no longer really called cell phones.  They are smart phones.  We use them for navigation, music, banking, texting, video and photography, getting answers to random questions, watching our favorite shows, checking the weather, making to do lists, email, social media, booking travel, and much more.  When we actually receive a call, we send it to voicemail and text the person who had the audacity to call us on our cell phone.  Many people place this tool of convenience right up there with food, clothing, and shelter as a necessity of life.  As cell phones become more ubiquitous, the starting age of those who have cell phones is getting younger and younger.  It is common for kids to get their first smart phone while they are in elementary or middle school. 

Parents are concerned about their child’s safety and well-being.  Parents pray for safety at school, and may even rehearse what to do in an emergency.  They teach their young children about “stranger danger” and tell them not to get in the car of someone they don’t know.  No sane parent would knowingly allow a pedophile to babysit his or her child.  No godly parent would take their kids to an adult film or strip club.  However, many parents do not monitor what their children are doing on their phones.  Unfiltered and unmonitored access to technology brings the strangers, pedophiles, adult films, and more to children. Through technology many of our children are being exposed to people, language, images, and ideas that are destroying their lives.

Parents must be as concerned about their child’s cyber safety as they are about their child’s physical safety.  Many parents take the attitude that they do not want to invade their child’s privacy.  But God did not call parents to respect their child’s privacy; God called parents to protect their child’s heart.  God has given parents the responsibility of leading their children in the way of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:1-3; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4).  The parental assignment from God is to disciple our children for Christ.  Don’t allow your children to be victims of Satanic cyber-attacks.  Consider the following:

• Invest in a parental control app that allows you to filter and monitor you child’s activity.
  
• In addition to being in your child’s social media network, obtain the passwords for your child’s phone and social media sights.
  
• Set a phone/tablet curfew and store your child’s device in your room at night.
  
• Have open and honest dialogue with your child about cyber safety and the dangers of sending and receiving suggestive and explicit photos.  Don’t just talk, but listen to them too.
  
• Most of all, disciple your child to be a follower of Christ.