Dear Parents: Is what your kids watching influencing them?

How do we determine which media isn’t appropriate media for our children to engage in? Is it the presence of offensive language? Sexually explicit content?  Does media have an impact on their young brains at all? Some say “no” and that this sort of question is “over-spiritualizing” the matter. Others say “yes” and that our kids are highly influenced by what they see and hear on television. How we were raised probably has a lot to do with our answer but what does the Word of God say about this?

My daughter recently downloaded a game without my knowledge. It’s a harmless game really but all the illustrations contained witches and spells. Still, I was apprehensive about it and that apprehension sparked my curiosity. It was a fun, harmless game.  So why was I still apprehensive? Why was I bothered?

My answer eventually brought me back to how I was raised. I grew up in a Christian home and was very sheltered. I had a fairly strict mother who was extremely concerned about what I listened to and watched. Even shows like Smurfs and Scooby doo were off limits and I wasn’t allowed to listen to “secular music”. I’m not saying I was an “angel” by any means but I was so scared of disobeying or getting in trouble that most times I just did what I was told. As a grown adult though I am now faced with having to decide what media my own children can or cannot engage in. I’m finding that a lot of my decisions have been based on my upbringing and not my own conclusions. So, I went to the Bible for answers.

The Bible says that Satan comes to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). Satan knows exactly how to wiggle his way in and bring division in our families. You might be saying, “but Ann these are such little issues and there are so many bigger things to worry about”. We worry how to take care of our family’s well-being, health, and sometimes just getting food on the table. We teach our kids right from wrong, we go to church, we try our best. And I’m right there with you. I’m stressed daily as a stay at home mom. My kids drive me up the wall and I have things that I have to deal with daily. Life is hard and it doesn’t stop. But this is definitely a topic that needs to be talked about and examined in our own homes. When we let go of the little things they build up they become problems down the road because we decided it didn’t matter. But just because we decide it doesn’t matter doesn’t mean the problem isn’t there. It is ultimately up to us to lead our homes, to know God and have Him open our eyes on how to defend our family. We have that responsibility as parents or caregiver 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

We cannot be with our children constantly but we can train them, teach them the word of God, and pray that when they are faced with hard decisions they make the right ones based on what they’ve been taught and believe and that needs to start at a young age but it is never too late. I’ve learned that the atmosphere you create in your home is important. Do your children see your love for God and His word? I am still working on creating that culture and atmosphere in my home. I don’t ever want to be overly spiritual just to say I am. I want to be real. The realness is that little minds are so easily molded.

I still haven’t deleted the game my daughter downloaded. I decided it’s not a bad game and it’s brought up great questions. I am very mindful of what my children see and hear but I also know that we live in a fallen world and that I can only do so much to shield them. Still, I’m focused on teaching them the word of God and His love. They are very young but it starts now. What are somethings you have found helpful for your family and the things they see and hear with technology.

More scripture on what we allow into our minds and our children’s and why its so important to be careful and watchful.

Romans 12:2 New Living Translation

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

When we let God transform us we are able to know His will for our families.

Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation

23 Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

All that we allow in and do determines who we are and our lives.

Be love and grace today.

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