Christian parenting in the digital age: a practical guide for families

Being a parent in a world overrun with screens, apps, and notifications is no easy job. Many want to protect their kids from the pitfalls of digital media but have no idea where or how to start.

With smart phones, tablets, television, video games, streaming, and social media—it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. But no need to worry! Applying simple lessons from Scripture can help your family’s tech habits honor the Lord.

A big question for parents today is the amount of screen time appropriate for kids. This is challenging as most of us use tech for almost every part of life. And for teenagers, social pressure to be always online and reachable continues to rise.

While every child is different, studies show that a limited and gradual introduction to tech proves better in the long run. Too much screen time creates harmful side effects—negatively impacting a child’s sleep, focus, and emotional development.

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, “High exposure to background TV has been found to negatively affect language use and acquisition, attention, cognitive development and executive function in children younger than 5 years.”

It’s no surprise that companies design videos, apps, and games to hold a user’s attention as long as possible. As you make decisions about your family’s screen time, be mindful of how vulnerable kids are to digital media. This is especially true for younger children whose brains are still developing.

Portioning screen time based on your child’s age and maturity is key here. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) suggests the following limits:

• For children under 2, no screentime at all except for video calls with friends and family.
• For 2–5-year-olds, 1 hour a day of high-quality kid’s media (watching with them is encouraged).
• For 5–12-year-olds, set clear screen time rules and make sure 9-12 hours of sleep and over an hour of exercise are a priority.
• For kids 13 and older, monitor online activity and limit social media use. Ensure they get 8-10 hours of sleep and over an hour of exercise.

Because of the unpredictable nature of parenthood, this standard isn’t always realistic. So don’t feel bad if you’re struggling to maintain this every day. Long weekends, vacations, and sick days can be exceptions to the rule!

It’s also important to remember that screen time controls only go so far (kids can often find ways around app restrictions). That’s why building positive habits together will encourage them away from obsessive tech use.

Discernment in media: guarding your child’s heart

Healthy boundaries matter, but it’s also crucial to decide what kind of content your kids will consume. This is even more important than the amount of time they spend on it!

Thankfully, there are great online resources for Christian parents to find quality movies, shows, games, and videos for kids. While no piece of media is perfect, asking the questions below can also help you decide what’s best for your family:

• Does this media celebrate sin or normalize it?
• Does it promote good morals and life lessons?
• Are the themes and visuals appropriate for my child’s age?
• Does it encourage compulsive or addictive behavior?

Christian parents play a vital role in teaching children not just what to consume, but how to discern if something is spiritually healthy. Helping your kids ask these questions on their own can nourish spiritual growth and critical thinking.

With many helpful tools for parents out there, God’s word should still be at the heart of any decision. In fact, the Bible sheds meaningful light on all the issues we’ve covered. Below are a few helpful verses to meditate on and memorize:

• “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” —Psalm 119:37, ESV
• “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” —Philippians 4:8, ESV
• “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” —Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:22-23

As these verses engage your mind and spirit, use that wisdom to make informed media guidelines for your family. Remember, you’re not alone either! If you’re ever unsure about what to do, reach out to your pastor or fellow Christian parents for advice.

Parenting as a Christian in a digital landscape 

Raising godly children is a big challenge—and the stakes have never been higher for their attention. But with biblical wisdom, they can swim upstream in a world of endless distractions.

When setting boundaries, the goal isn’t perfection. Focus on building healthy habits as a family every day. Over time, you’ll enable your kids to glorify God while having a balanced relationship with technology.

Resources/References

• Screen Time Guidelines for Kids, at Every Age: CHLA Experts Weigh In | Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
• Screen time and young children: Promoting health and development in a digital world – PMC