By Alvin Mlambo
We live in an age where toddlers swipe before they walk and childhood curiosity now means asking Google before asking dad. My 10-year-old son, bright-eyed, brilliant, and brimming with curiosity, is teaching himself how to code basic games, can troubleshoot apps, and streams digital content with the ease of someone twice his age. He is, in every sense of the word, a child of the digital revolution. And yet, behind my admiration for his talents lies a gnawing concern. The digital world, as wondrous as it is, is not neutral. It’s loud, persuasive, and relentless. Our kids are no longer just playing with tech, they’re being shaped by it.
The World Behind the Screen
Let’s be honest: technology is incredible, but it doesn’t come without shadows. While screen time is pitched as entertainment and education, it often becomes a silent thief, stealing attention, empathy, and sometimes even identity. My son doesn’t own a social media account, and still, he’s already asking about likes, followers, and online fame. The internet’s culture of curated perfection creeps in young, whispering lies about worth and comparison.
There’s also the lurking danger of cyberbullying, wounds that don’t bruise the skin but leave deep emotional marks. Even with filters and controls, inappropriate content is often just one mis-click away. And perhaps most alarming of all is the slow erosion of identity. In a world where kids are encouraged to define themselves by how they look, what they post, or who validates them, how do we help them stay rooted in who God says they are?
Faith Over Filters
As a Christian father, I’ve learned that parenting in the digital age requires more than managing devices, it calls for spiritual vigilance. Proverbs 22:6 urges us to “train up a child in the way he should go…” and that’s never felt more relevant than now. We’re not just raising kids; we’re raising kingdom-minded guides in a terrain designed to distract.
Faith becomes the compass. In our home, values like truth, kindness, humility, and self-control aren’t suggestions, they’re anchors. And we talk about them often, not as abstract virtues, but as shields against a world that runs on comparison, outrage, and excess. This means helping my son understand why we set boundaries, not just because it’s right, but because it reflects the heart of God.
Setting Boundaries Without Building Walls
We're learning that wise parenting is less about digital bans and more about building trust. Here are a few practical rhythms we’ve adopted:
• Tech-free zones: Dinner time, devotions, and bedtime must be sacred, free from the hum of notifications and glowing screens. These are the moments where hearts connect.
• Co-viewing and open doors: If he’s online, I or his mother are not far. We talk about what he’s watching, who he’s interacting with, and what he thinks about it. Questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “What do you think God thinks about that?” turn digital moments into teachable ones.
• Tools with wisdom: We use apps like Google Family Link and YouTube Kids, but no tool replaces trust. Our rule? Relationship trumps restriction. He needs to know he can tell me anything, especially the uncomfortable stuff.
• Shared tech experiences: We play games together, dive into Bible apps, and explore the internet as co-adventurers. I’m not anti-tech, I’m pro-heart.
Teaching Him to See Clearly
More than just consuming content, I want my son to question it. We talk about how media shapes thought. We dissect Tik-Tok trends, memes, and influencers, not to shame them, but to help him see the deeper messages at play. “What is this really saying about people, success, or God?” That kind of critical thinking equips him to stand firm when trends shout louder than truth. Discernment isn’t about suspicion, it’s about clarity. I want him to spot counterfeit wisdom and know what’s real. To scroll with eyes open and a heart anchored in truth.
Let’s Raise Kids Who Know What Matters
Some days, this feels like a losing battle. Like I’m trying to hold back a flood with a paper cup. But here’s what I know: I’m not doing it alone. God is with me, and He loves my son even more than I do. I can’t protect him from every digital danger, but I can plant seeds of wisdom, water them with prayer, and trust God with the growth. So yes, I’ll keep setting boundaries, asking awkward questions, and showing up, even when it feels like I’m swimming against the tide. Because my son’s heart, his future, and his faith are worth it. May we raise a generation of kids who don’t just use technology, but who are wise enough to question it, shape it, and, above all, honour God through it.