Friday, August 28, 2015

Kids in Danger!

Last night, at men’s Bible study, we had a discussion that is important for responsible parents to hear. The men were discussing an upcoming study of the book of James, in the New Testament. One of the topics covered by James in his letter is controlling your tongue. As we had a conversation about this topic, we agreed how social media has intensified the importance of learning how to control your tongue.
During the conversation one of our men, a middle school teacher, made a very good point. He said,
“You wouldn’t give a loaded gun to a middle school boy. You wouldn’t give car keys to a middle school boy and ask him to drive. Middle school boys are too immature to negotiate the responsibilities of guns or cars. Guns and cars in the wrong hands are potentially dangerous under the control of people who have not yet learned to control themselves.

Then he asked a very important question:

“Why would we permit a child or preteen, who has not yet learned to control themselves, access to the internet, where they can hear or say anything to anyone, anywhere in the world?” It is dangerous. We may be exposing our developing children in ways that threaten their development: socially, morally, and spiritually.

The men in the bible study were all in agreement that parents have a critical responsibility to guide their children through the complexity of the digital age. Digital technology, the internet, and social media are value neutral. The values of the users either redeem or poison the value. Please don’t assume they know how to negotiate this potentially dangerous and threatening chance without your guidance.
I prepared a Parents Guide in 2009 for this very reason. There are many helpful tools for parents. But the best protection your children have for any threat is a calm conversation with caring parents. If your kids are confident that you love them and have their best interest at heart, they will look to you for guidance, especially when potentially dangerous and threatening experiences are concerned.
Parents Guide Prepared in 2009
Thank you for keeping your kids safe!
Dr. Phil Sallee, Pastor
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