Proverbs 25:28 says, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” As a parent it is important that you provide your children with structure, so they can build self-control. They need self-control to succeed at school, and at work, and in relationships. Allowing them to do anything and everything they want is only ensuring they will live a life filled with trouble.
In our internet driven world, many lack self-control when it comes to the hours they spend online. Studies estimate that the average person spends 6.5 hours per day on the internet. Or about a quarter of their life on the world wide web. When you factor in school, work and sleep, the average person spends most of their time awake online.
As a parent, we need to help our children learn to limit their time online. Why? Because without self-control they are like a city with no walls. The enemy can easily walk into their lives and destroy them. The problem is everywhere today. Even churches aren’t immune to the technology bug. We’ve become accustomed to slide shows and videos being a part of our classes and sermons. We are even setting up rooms with electronic devices for children to use while attending services.
Please listen to me, as a parent, you have to know that no one will care more about your child succeeding in life more than you will. What if you were to give your child every tennis lesson, drive them to every practice, make sure they never miss a school event, but in the end, they lose their soul. I don’t have to tell you that is going to be a very sad day for some parents.
Arlene Pellicane in her book, Parents Rising says, “you would never dream of handing your child drugs or alcohol. Yet most parents hand over a tablet or phone to a child without much thought.”
Can I encourage you to limit your child’s use of the internet? Of course, that may mean you will have to put your phone down as well. Instead of eating supper watching your favorite show, or playing your favorite game, or watching tic toc videos, you must put your phone away. Mom and Dad’s, take the lead and put the phone away. You will be glad you did in the end.
