Question: Is our job as parents to protect our kids from the world or prepare them for it? I received a message recently from a parent concerned about a Keys for Kids devotional story we produced about pornography for our radio network. The email said in essence that they were disappointed that we even mentioned the word “pornography” because they were forced to explain the word to their 14-year-old. I was kind of shocked, actually. Especially since ChurchMag says 90% of kids between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed online pornography.1 If we’re not proactively talking to our kids about issues they WILL be facing, aren’t we in essence neglecting them? Since Scripture cautions us about sin, we should caution our kids.
1“The Average Age a Child Views Pornography” by Eric Dye, ChurchMag
Suggested Reading: Proverbs 6:16-19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
This was a good devotional. We want to protect our kids, but we really do have to prepare them for this world. The world is working quickly to pass on their agenda: we as Christians must also be vigilant in giving them the Lord ‘s message. As you said; most times, our kids have already been exposed to the evils we try to shun them from.
Thank you. It’s so sad that we have to talk about evil that we’d rather our kids not know about. The evil one wants our kids. Unfortunately many Christian families are being passive in how to disciple their kids, or teaching them about the evils that confront them. I hope Keys for Kids Ministries can be a help to families as they navigate these difficult waters.