2 minute read

It’s Possible: Our Kids Can Learn How to Use Media Wisely

Last Updated: February 6, 2023

Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna

Chris McKenna is a guy with never-ending energy when it comes to fighting for the safety and protection of children. He is the founder of Protect Young Eyes, a leading digital safety organization. Chris practices his internet safety tips on his four amazing children and is regularly featured on news, radio, podcasts, and most recently on Capitol Hill for his research. His 2019 US Senate Judiciary Committee testimony was the catalyst for draft legislation that could radically change online child protection laws. With expertise in social media usage, parental controls, and pornography use in young people, Chris is highly sought after as a speaker at schools and churches. Since 2016, Chris has worked with Covenant Eyes creating educational resources to help individuals and families overcome porn. Other loves include running, spreadsheets, and candy.

Our children are growing up in a porn-filled world. Apps, commercials, movies and even kids’ shows point towards a world that values sexualization. Without the deliberate intervention of observant, engaged and informed parents, our kids run the risk of becoming another statistic.

Some of the pressing questions we’ve received from parents include:

  • Can you tell me the right age to have conversations about sex and sexuality?
  • Are there any examples of what to say and not to say so I don’t scar my kid for life?
  • Where do I go to find the latest information on parental controls, apps, games and devices?
  • I’m a parent who struggles with an Internet addiction. How can I make sure my own kids don’t fall into the same trap?

Friends, these are good, but tough questions. And, we will address all of them in our new e-book, Parenting the Internet Generation.

In an earlier video, we shared some results from a major study on pornography from the Barna Group called The Porn Phenomenon. Here are a few of the findings:

  • Teens and young adults who have never used Covenant Eyes consider “not recycling” to be more immoral than viewing pornography!
  • 22% of young adults ages 18 to 24 consider porn to be good for society, and 8% of that age group actually think it is “very good for society.”
  • 41% of males who are practicing Christians, view pornography regularly.

But, what if there was a better way? See, at Covenant Eyes, we envision things happening differently. What if your children spoke to you openly and honestly about how they use their technology? What if your child knew his or her identity as a son or daughter of God, and that identity fueled their online choices? What if your child understood shame, and used it as a motivator for positive future choices? What if your child knew exactly what to do when his friends showed him pornography at a sleepover? What if your family started a culture of Internet accountability and openness that just became part of normal, family life?

Wouldn’t that be amazing?

And, if you’re as excited as I am about any of these potential scenarios in your own kids, then Parenting the Internet Generation is for you!

Just take a look at a few of these chapter titles

  • Understanding Sexual Integrity
  • Parental Controls and Media Literacy
  • Supportive and Structured Parenting
  • The Security of the Gospel of Grace

And those are just a few! As you can see, we’ve created this e-book as an easy-to-follow blueprint to help teach your children digital discernment. It’s complete with study questions, stage-by-stage conversation guides for talking about sex and technology, and a closed Facebook group called “Parenting the Internet Generation” where families can share their best practices with each other and ask questions. We are releasing this e-book in just a few short days! And, you’re going to want to download the e-book right away to have full access to some amazing extra resources we plan to include with it for a limited time.

If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, please leave a comment below or find the closed Facebook group, ask to join, and leave a question there.