04/08/2026
This is the part of the “get kids outside” dialogue that isn’t appreciated enough. Yes, I can kick my kids outside 🌳 🛝 but so many kids have devices in their pockets with 100M choices waiting to be explored.
This statement came to me after receiving a DM from a mom. Her daughter was harmed by a friend who showed her traumatizing content online. Their family has never been the same.
Friends have always had a profound impact on us. But the potential impacts feel greater today.
Growing up in the 1980s, it took effort in my small town of Bath (yes, Bath 😁) if I was going to do something truly naughty.
But today it’s different.
The distance between our children and life-altering choices is more narrow than it was for us. Before it was miles away. Now it’s a tap away. This is what I told Congress in 2019, but little has changed. More parents need to step up!
Too many kids are being hurt by other kids.
I wonder: what specific things have you done to prepare your kids for digital risk that might come from their friends?
Or, if your child was impacted through a screen because of another child, what helped you most in that difficult situation?
For my praying friends, here’s something you can do right away. Turn Psalm 119:37 into a prayer over each of your children: “Turn [insert name] eyes away from worthless things. Preserve [insert name] life according to your word.” 🙏🏼
Parenting (and praying) with you!
Chris
