On this episode of Techwise, Brad Huddleston talks about the important topic of social media use among children and offers parents some advice. Many parents worry about their kids being on social media. One common situation is when a parent wants to keep their teen off it, but feels pressured because their child’s church youth group uses it to communicate.
‘A gentle and loving explanation as to why you’re not allowing your child on social media should accompany your firm decision,’ says Brad. ‘You should not allow the youth group or anyone else except God to dictate how you manage your children.’
Brad believes that parents should actively manage their child’s social media use. Instead of just trying to limit it, parents should be clear and firm about their decision to restrict access. It’s important for parents not to let youth groups or any other kind of organisation influence their family’s decisions about social media.
Social Media Use Among Children
Instead, Brad beleives they should rely on Biblical guidance. The Bible instructs parents to protect their children from dangers, including those found in social media. Brad encourages parents to kindly ask the youth group to use other ways to communicate.
If the group refuses to find alternatives, Brad suggests finding another group that will. Parents need to think about the dangers of letting their children use social media at all. He reassures parents that they are not alone in wanting to keep their kids safe from it’s negative effects.
‘The Bible is the ultimate authority for how you parent your children,’ says Brad. ‘Furthermore, God has instructed you to protect your children from anything that will harm them. Including the land mine known as social media.’
With growing concerns about mental health and tragic incidents linked to social media, Brad points out that in Australia, the government has banned social media for people under 16 years old. ‘My prayer is that other countries will follow suit,’ he says.
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