Weekly School Parent Newsletter Topics:
- John O'Maley
- Oct 27
- 20 min read
PARENTS PROTECTING CHILDREN
By Deacon John O’Maley
Topic 1: Safe Internet Practices for Kids
Teaching safe internet practices begins early. Children must understand that the internet, while full of opportunities, is not a playground without risks. Parents can set the foundation by limiting access to age-appropriate websites and apps, keeping devices in shared family spaces, and using filters or parental controls. More importantly, teach children that if they encounter anything strange or uncomfortable online, they should come directly to you. This establishes you as their trusted protector and keeps dialogue open. Framing safety as an act of love—not restriction—helps children see rules as caring boundaries, not punishments.
Topic 2: Recognizing Signs of Bullying
Bullying is no longer confined to the playground—it follows children home through their screens. Recognizing signs early is crucial. A child who suddenly avoids devices, becomes anxious after being online, or withdraws from social activities may be facing cyberbullying. Parents should also notice mood swings tied to phone use, unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, or a drop in academic performance. Open conversations can gently uncover what’s happening. By asking direct yet compassionate questions—“Are people being unkind online?”—you invite honesty while assuring them they’re not alone. Early recognition allows parents to intervene before bullying causes lasting harm.
Topic 3: Setting Healthy Screen Time Limits
Children thrive with balance, and setting limits on screen time is a key part of healthy development. Too much digital use can impact sleep, learning, and even social skills. Create consistent rules: for example, no screens at meals, a set “bedtime” for devices, or specific daily limits on gaming or social media. Keep screens in shared spaces to encourage accountability. When possible, replace excess screen time with outdoor play, reading, or family activities. By setting reasonable, loving boundaries now, you help your child learn to manage technology in a way that supports—not hinders—their growth and happiness.
Topic 4: Protecting Children from Online Predators
Predators use games, apps, and social media to trick children into unsafe conversations or relationships. They may pretend to be peers, offer gifts, or ask children to keep secrets. Teach your child never to share personal information, photos, or their location online. Make it clear that no true friend would ever ask them to hide conversations from parents. Encourage your children to block strangers and tell you if they receive uncomfortable messages. Together, establish rules for safe online interactions. Your loving vigilance, paired with open communication, is a powerful shield against those who seek to harm the innocent.
Topic 5: Teaching Kids About Privacy and Personal Data
Children often don’t understand why sharing their full name, school, or address online is risky. Teach them that personal data is like a “key to your home”—it must be protected. Encourage them to use nicknames in games, avoid posting locations, and never share passwords with friends. Parents can model safe behavior by being cautious about what family information is shared online. Explain that once something is posted, it can be copied or shared forever. Instilling respect for privacy from an early age empowers kids to make wise choices that safeguard both their safety and future reputation.
Topic 6: Introducing Tech Rules in Early Childhood
The preschool and elementary years are the perfect time to begin teaching healthy digital habits. Children ages 3–12 absorb lessons quickly, so establish rules early: no devices without supervision, no screens in bedrooms, and a clear time limit on recreational use. Keep explanations simple: “If you see something that feels bad, tell Mom or Dad.” Introduce the idea that the internet can be good but also harmful if misused. By shaping habits early, you prepare children to value safety, honesty, and moderation before they encounter greater online risks. Prevention in childhood is the strongest protection of all.
Topic 7: Family Charging Stations for Devices
One simple way to protect children online is by setting up a family charging station in a shared area like the kitchen. Require all devices—phones, tablets, even parents’—to be placed there overnight. This reduces temptation for late-night browsing, prevents sleep disruption, and gives parents peace of mind. It also models that technology use is guided by family rules, not individual impulses. Pair this with using traditional alarm clocks instead of phones in bedrooms. A common charging station reinforces the message that digital safety is a family mission, teaching children accountability while restoring calm to nighttime routines.
Topic 8: Faith-Based Approaches to Digital Parenting
As Catholic parents, we recognize that protecting children online is not only about safety but about virtue. Teach your children that God cares about how they act both offline and online. Share scriptures like Philippians 4:8—encouraging them to focus on what is pure, lovely, and honorable. Encourage prayer before using technology, or a nightly examen reflecting on digital choices. Remind teens that chastity, kindness, and honesty extend to their digital lives. By rooting online rules in faith, we show our children that we’re not just limiting screen time—we’re guiding them to live as disciples of Christ.
Topic 9: Spotting the Warning Signs of Pornography Exposure
Sadly, pornography often reaches children before parents expect it. Signs may include sudden secrecy about devices, withdrawal from family, or unusual knowledge of sexual topics. If you suspect exposure, respond with calm and compassion. Reassure your child they are not in trouble, and explain that pornography presents false, harmful ideas about love and the human body. Use resources like Good Pictures, Bad Pictures to spark age-appropriate conversations. Pair honest dialogue with technical safeguards, such as filters and accountability tools. With patience and prayer, you can help your child heal and learn to resist this pervasive online threat
Topic 10: Helping Kids Handle Peer Pressure Online
Peer pressure doesn’t end in the schoolyard—it thrives online. Friends may push children to download unsafe apps, join risky challenges, or share inappropriate photos. Teach your child to pause and ask, “Would I be proud to tell my parents about this choice?” Encourage them to stand firm, even when “everyone else is doing it.” Role-play scenarios to practice safe responses. Assure them they can always come to you for backup when saying no feels difficult. By reinforcing that their worth is not based on fitting in, you equip your child to resist unhealthy digital peer pressure.
Topic 11: Cyberbullying: Responding with Compassion
Cyberbullying can wound deeply, but your calm and compassionate response will help your child heal. If your child is bullied online, save screenshots as evidence, block aggressors, and report abuse. More importantly, remind your child that they are valued, loved, and never alone. Reinforce their dignity as a child of God, created wonderfully and with purpose. Teach them to respond with kindness—or not at all—rather than retaliation. If needed, involve the school or authorities. By walking beside your child with empathy and strength, you turn a painful experience into an opportunity for growth, resilience, and deeper family connection.
Topic 12: Gaming Safety and In-Game Chat Risks
Online games are popular but can expose kids to unsafe interactions. Many predators and bullies use in-game chat to connect with children. Teach your child to only play with real-life friends and to ignore or block strangers who reach out. Review game ratings and content, ensuring they are age-appropriate. Limit purchases and discuss the risks of overspending on in-game items. Encourage your child to tell you if someone says something mean, creepy, or makes them uncomfortable. With clear guidelines, supervision, and open communication, gaming can be fun, safe, and even a positive way for kids to connect.
Topic 13: Building a Family Technology Contract
Creating a family technology contract helps set clear, fair expectations for everyone. Write down rules about screen time, device use, social media, and online safety—and have each family member sign it. This reinforces accountability and teamwork. Include both rules and privileges, such as device-free meals or agreed “fun time” online. A written contract also gives children a voice in the process, making them more likely to follow the rules. Post it where everyone can see it. A family contract communicates that technology is managed with love, consistency, and respect—not sudden rules or arguments when problems arise.
Topic 14: Teaching Kids “Turn, Run & Tell” for Bad Content
Children need simple, memorable steps for handling harmful online content. The phrase “Turn, Run & Tell” gives them a clear plan: turn away from the screen, leave the device, and immediately tell a trusted adult. Role-play this with young children so they know what to do when confronted with inappropriate material. Praise honesty and reinforce that they are never in trouble for accidental exposure. By teaching this mantra early, you equip kids to respond calmly, reject shame, and trust you with their struggles. It transforms frightening situations into opportunities for safety, support, and stronger parent-child communication.
Topic 15: Protecting Sleep with Digital Curfews
Late-night screen use disrupts sleep, mood, and focus in school. Establishing a digital curfew protects your child’s health and restores peace at bedtime. Set a specific “device off” time—perhaps 8:30 or 9:00 p.m.—and keep all phones, tablets, and laptops in a common charging station overnight. Provide alternatives like reading, prayer, or journaling before bed. Explain that curfews aren’t punishments but acts of love, helping their bodies and minds recharge. Modeling this as parents strengthens the message. Protecting sleep with consistent digital boundaries lays the foundation for better mental health, improved academics, and healthier family rhythms.
Topic 16: Recognizing Secret or “Finsta” Accounts
Many teens create hidden or “Finsta” (fake Instagram) accounts to post content away from parents’ eyes. These accounts can contain risky or inappropriate behavior. Stay alert by periodically discussing online habits, asking open questions, and building trust so your child feels comfortable sharing. Remind them that secrecy online is a red flag—if something must be hidden, it may not be safe. Encourage honesty by promising calm, supportive conversations, not overreaction. When children know they can talk openly, they are less tempted to create secret spaces. Transparency, trust, and respect reduce the risks of hidden digital lives.
Topic 17: Teaching Digital Manners and Kindness
The Golden Rule applies online just as it does in person. Teach your child that behind every screen is a real person with feelings. Encourage respectful language, avoiding gossip or cruelty in texts, chats, or social media posts. Role-play scenarios where they must choose between kindness and meanness, and highlight the long-term impact of digital words. Show them that “likes” or jokes at others’ expense can hurt. Model digital kindness yourself in how you interact online. When children understand that digital manners reflect their character, they become leaders of positivity and compassion in the often-harsh online world.
Topic 18: Preparing for Your Child’s First Phone
Deciding when and how to give your child a first phone is a major milestone. Instead of rushing, prepare by discussing safety rules, responsibility, and the purpose of the device. Consider starter options such as kid-safe phones or limited devices before introducing full smartphones. Establish boundaries early: no phones in bedrooms, limits on social media, and accountability through parental controls. Frame the phone as a tool, not a toy. When you set expectations before the device arrives, you build trust and confidence. The goal is not just giving a phone, but raising a responsible, safe digital citizen.
Topic 19: The Importance of Delay: “Wait Until 8th”
The “Wait Until 8th” movement encourages parents to delay giving children smartphones until at least eighth grade. This delay allows kids to develop maturity, self-control, and real-world social skills before handling the responsibility of a smartphone. Explain to your child that waiting is an act of love, not deprivation. Offer alternatives, like basic phones or smart watches, for communication needs. Use the waiting years to teach safe habits on shared family devices. By delaying smartphone use, you reduce risks like social media pressure, exposure to harmful content, and screen addiction—helping children step into technology with readiness.
Topic 20: Safer Smartphone Alternatives for Preteens
If your child needs a phone before they’re ready for a full smartphone, safer alternatives exist. Kid-friendly phones like the Gabb, Pinwheel, Bark, or Troomi are designed without access to social media or explicit content. They allow calls and texts with parental oversight while teaching responsible use. Explain to your child that this is a “training phone,” giving them freedom to communicate safely while avoiding major risks. Involve your child in setting rules for its use to build trust. Safer alternatives bridge the gap, allowing connection without overwhelming temptation, and prepare children for responsible smartphone use later.
Topic 21: Talking About Sexting Before It Starts
Before your teen hears about sexting from peers, talk about it openly and clearly. Explain that sending or sharing private pictures is dangerous, damaging, and even illegal for minors. Emphasize that anyone who truly cares for them would never pressure them to send such images. Remind them of their dignity, privacy, and worth as children of God. Provide strategies: say “no,” block the request, and tell a trusted adult immediately. Assure them they will not be punished for coming forward. Talking early arms children with the confidence to resist pressure and protect their hearts and reputations
Topic 22: Navigating Social Media Pressure
Social media brings enormous pressure to be “perfect,” gather followers, and gain likes. Talk with your child about how online images are often filtered, staged, and far from reality. Encourage them to focus on authentic friendships and creative expression instead of chasing approval. Together, review privacy settings and unfollow accounts that cause comparison or negativity. Remind them that their value comes from God and family, not social media numbers. Check in often about their feelings after time online. By helping them navigate these pressures, you equip your child to use social media wisely—and with confidence
Topic 23: Spotting Early Signs of Screen Addiction
Children may develop unhealthy screen habits without realizing it. Warning signs include irritability when devices are removed, neglecting homework, or losing interest in offline activities. If your child struggles to stop gaming or scrolling, it may be time to reset boundaries. Introduce scheduled “unplugged hours” and encourage family alternatives like walks, board games, or creative projects. Praise your child for positive offline choices to reinforce balance. By addressing concerns early, you prevent deeper patterns of dependency and help your child enjoy technology as a healthy tool—not as a controlling influence on their time and emotions.
Topic 24: Teaching Kids About Deepfakes and AI Scams
Artificial intelligence can now create fake photos, videos, or voices that look and sound real. Teach your children to be cautious when seeing shocking images or receiving strange messages. Explain that not everything online is true, and scams often use AI to trick kids into sharing information or money. Encourage your child to check with you before believing or responding to suspicious content. Together, explore trustworthy news or resources to verify information. By giving children the tools to question what they see, you equip them to resist deception and use discernment in an increasingly digital world.
Topic 25: Managing Stress from Online Drama
Friendship conflicts can easily spill into digital spaces through group chats, texts, or social media posts. If your child seems upset after being online, ask gentle questions about what’s happening. Encourage them to take a break from devices and focus on offline support—family meals, prayer, or hobbies. Teach them to avoid escalating drama by not retaliating online. Help them see that their worth isn’t defined by peers’ comments. With your guidance, children learn that stepping away from online conflict and finding healthier outlets is a sign of strength, not weakness, and leads to real peace.
Topic 26: Protecting Your Child’s Digital Footprint
Everything children post online becomes part of their digital reputation. Even “deleted” pictures or comments may be saved or shared. Teach your child to think before posting: “Would I be proud for my teacher or future employer to see this?” Encourage them to use privacy settings, avoid oversharing, and choose usernames that protect identity. Conduct occasional family “Google checks” to show what information appears publicly. Praise responsible posting choices and explain the importance of long-term digital dignity. Helping children understand the permanence of online actions empowers them to build a positive, lasting digital footprint.
Topic 27: Encouraging Tech-Free Family Traditions
Creating regular family traditions that don’t involve screens helps children value relationships over devices. Start small—weekly game nights, Sunday walks, or a monthly outing. Let your children choose activities to increase excitement and participation. During these times, commit to putting away phones and focusing on conversation and laughter. These traditions provide stability, joy, and lasting memories. Over time, your children will associate family connection with fun, not restriction. Tech-free traditions not only strengthen bonds but also remind children that true happiness is found in shared moments, love, and presence—not in likes, followers, or online distractions.
Topic 28: Building a “Tech-Free Sabbath” Routine
Just as God rested on the seventh day, families benefit from a “tech Sabbath.” Choose one day—or even an afternoon each week—to set aside devices. Use the time for church, family meals, outdoor fun, or simply resting together. At first, children may resist, but soon they’ll find freedom in stepping away from constant screens. Explain that this rhythm allows hearts and minds to recharge. A tech-free Sabbath teaches balance, restores peace, and anchors your family in faith. By dedicating time to God and one another without digital distractions, you model priorities that protect children’s spiritual and emotional health.
Topic 29: Using Parental Control Apps Wisely
Parental control apps can provide valuable guardrails by filtering harmful content, limiting screen time, and flagging concerning messages. Tools like Bark, Qustodio, or Net Nanny can help, but they’re not substitutes for trust and conversation. Be transparent with your child about why these tools are in place—because you love them and want to protect them, not spy on them. Encourage dialogue about what they see online, and gradually loosen controls as they demonstrate responsibility. Used wisely, parental control apps become training wheels, helping children learn safe habits until they are mature enough to manage digital freedom themselves.
Topic 30: Role-Playing Online Safety Scenarios
Children learn best by practicing responses before problems occur. Role-play online safety situations with your child: “What would you do if a stranger messages you?” or “What if someone pressures you to share a photo?” Help them rehearse calm, safe replies, like blocking, saying “no,” or telling a parent. Keep the practice lighthearted, not fearful. This rehearsal builds confidence and makes children more likely to respond correctly when faced with real situations. Role-playing equips kids with both the words and the courage to act wisely, ensuring they are not caught unprepared in the digital world.
Topic 31: Responding Calmly to Exposure Incidents
Even with filters and supervision, children may still encounter inappropriate content. If it happens, your calm response is critical. Reassure them immediately that they are not in trouble. Ask how they feel, listen carefully, and explain gently why the content was harmful. Avoid anger, which could cause shame and silence. Instead, use the moment as a teaching opportunity—review safe habits, strengthen filters, and affirm your child’s dignity. By responding with grace and compassion, you transform a negative experience into an opportunity for healing and growth, teaching your child that honesty and trust are always safe choices.
Topic 32: Addressing Shame and Guilt Around Mistakes
Children may carry shame after making digital mistakes—whether it’s clicking a bad link, sending an unkind message, or looking at harmful material. Remind them that mistakes do not define their worth. Share that God’s mercy and your love are greater than any error. Encourage confession and forgiveness, both spiritually and within the family. Teach that guilt can guide us to change, but shame is never the final word. By creating a safe space for truth-telling, you help your child learn responsibility without fear. Addressing mistakes with compassion builds resilience, honesty, and stronger parent-child trust.
Topic 33: Using Scripture in Conversations About Tech
Scripture provides timeless wisdom for today’s digital challenges. Share verses like Philippians 4:8 (“whatever is true, honorable, just, pure…think about these things”) to guide children’s online choices. Apply Proverbs 4:23 (“guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”) to teach careful content consumption. Use Matthew 7:12 (“do unto others…”) to highlight kindness online. Framing discussions in God’s Word helps children see that technology use isn’t separate from faith—it’s part of discipleship. Rooting digital rules in Scripture makes them more meaningful, showing kids that God’s truth applies in every area, including how they use screens.
Topic 34: Building a Household of Accountability
Accountability strengthens safety. Set family norms where online activity is open and transparent. Keep devices in common spaces, encourage kids to share new apps with you, and model openness by showing your own screen habits. Consider using accountability software that alerts—not spies—when harmful content appears. Establish a culture where asking, “What are you watching?” is normal, not intrusive. Praise honesty when children admit struggles. Accountability is not punishment but protection, helping children develop inner responsibility. By creating a home where digital life is shared and discussed, you prepare kids to manage freedom with wisdom and integrity.
Topic 35: Teaching Kids Empathy for Online Behavior
Empathy is one of the best safeguards against cruelty online. Teach your child to pause and imagine: “How would I feel if someone posted that about me?” Encourage them to uplift rather than tear down, and to support peers who are targeted. Discuss real examples of cyberbullying and its impact. Celebrate when your child shows kindness digitally, even in small ways. Remind them that Christ calls us to love others, even online. Teaching empathy ensures that your child not only avoids becoming a bully but also becomes a courageous defender of dignity and compassion in the digital space.
Topic 36: The Link Between Pornography and Trafficking
Few children realize that pornography and human trafficking are deeply connected. Predators often use pornographic sites to target or exploit youth, and much content is tied to exploitation. Explain to your children that pornography is not only harmful to their own minds and hearts but also fuels real abuse of others. Share that God created sexuality for love and dignity, not for profit or harm. By teaching the connection between porn and trafficking, you open their eyes to the broader injustice. Equip them with both moral conviction and compassion, inspiring them to reject pornography and protect others.
Topic 37: Handling Online Identity Theft Risks
Children’s information can be stolen and misused online—sometimes before they even realize it. Teach your child never to share full names, addresses, or school details in public spaces. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. Check their digital accounts regularly for unusual activity. Consider running a family “digital footprint check” by searching names online together. Explain that scammers and hackers try to trick children with “free prizes” or fake links. By teaching vigilance and guiding safe practices, you protect your child’s future while instilling lifelong habits of responsibility and digital security.
Topic 38: Spotting the Signs of Sextortion
Sextortion—when predators trick kids into sending private images, then threaten to share them—is a growing danger. Warning signs include secrecy, sudden anxiety, or unexplained demands for money. Teach your child that no one has the right to request photos of their body. Assure them they will never be punished for telling you if it happens. If targeted, the rule is clear: do not give in, block the predator, and tell a parent immediately. Parents should save evidence and contact authorities. Open dialogue and early awareness can prevent tragedy. Equip your child to recognize and resist sextortion.
Topic 39: Helping Kids Resist Inappropriate Challenges
Dangerous online “challenges” often pressure kids to participate for attention or likes. Teach your child to think critically before joining trends: “Will this hurt me or someone else?” Discuss real examples of challenges gone wrong to illustrate the risks. Encourage them to walk away from peer pressure and instead choose positive outlets for fun and creativity. Celebrate when they choose safety over popularity. Remind them that courage often means saying no. By preparing your child ahead of time, you protect them from reckless online dares and empower them to stand strong against harmful digital trends.
Topic 40: The “Grandma Rule” for Online Posting
A simple, effective guideline is the “Grandma Rule”: never post anything you wouldn’t want your grandmother (or future employer) to see. Teach your child that online posts often last forever, even if deleted. Encourage them to pause before hitting “send” and ask, “Would I be proud of this later?” Share real stories of people harmed by careless posts. By making the rule practical and relatable, children quickly grasp its importance. The “Grandma Rule” helps kids practice discernment, protect their reputations, and build a digital footprint that reflects their dignity, character, and faith.
Topic 41: Encouraging Kids to Create Positive Content
Instead of simply consuming media, encourage your child to use technology to create uplifting content. They might design artwork, record music, write devotionals, or share kind messages online. Praise their creativity and show interest in their projects. Help them see that technology is a tool for service, not just entertainment. Positive content creation strengthens confidence, builds valuable skills, and contributes good to the online world. It also shifts focus away from harmful or passive scrolling. By inspiring kids to create, not just consume, you empower them to use their gifts to bless others digitally and beyond.
Topic 42: Spotting Hidden Apps or Vaults on Devices
Some teens use hidden apps—often disguised as calculators or tools—to conceal photos, chats, or accounts. Be aware of this possibility and check your child’s device regularly. Look for duplicate apps, odd icons, or programs with unusual permissions. More importantly, build trust so secrecy feels unnecessary. Assure your child that you’d rather know about mistakes than discover hidden accounts. Teach them that hiding digital activity is a sign of risk. By combining practical awareness with loving openness, you help your child choose transparency and avoid the dangers of secret online behavior.
Topic 43: Responding to Peer Sharing of Explicit Images
Sometimes children receive inappropriate images from peers, even without asking. Make sure your child knows they are never at fault in such cases. Teach them to delete the image, never forward it, and tell you right away. Explain that sharing explicit pictures of minors is illegal, even if the sender is their own age. Reassure your child they won’t be punished for honesty. By guiding them calmly, you show that safety and dignity come first. Together, you can take next steps—like involving another parent, school, or platform—while protecting your child from shame or legal risk.
Topic 44: Teaching Teens About Digital Reputation
Every photo, post, or comment contributes to a child’s digital reputation. Colleges and employers often review online presence before making decisions. Help your teen ask: “Would I want this seen five years from now?” Encourage privacy settings, but remind them nothing online is truly private. Teach discernment when posting, commenting, or engaging in heated discussions. Model thoughtful sharing in your own digital life. By teaching teens that reputation is shaped online as well as offline, you empower them to act wisely. Their digital choices today can open—or close—doors to opportunities tomorrow. Encourage responsibility and integrity.
Topic 45: Managing Online Friendships Safely
Online friendships are common but can be risky. Teach your child that real friends are people they know offline, not strangers who “seem nice” in games or apps. Encourage them to introduce you to online contacts before trusting them. Remind them never to share personal details, locations, or photos with digital acquaintances. Regularly review their friend lists together to ensure safety. Reinforce that secrecy in friendships is a red flag. With guidance, children can enjoy digital communities without exposing themselves to predators. Safe, transparent online friendships support connection while keeping your child protected from hidden dangers.
Topic 46: Building Confidence Beyond “Likes” and Followers
Social media can make children believe their worth depends on likes or followers. Encourage your child to measure confidence in real achievements—sports, music, faith, kindness—not online validation. Praise their efforts offline and highlight strengths that have nothing to do with digital attention. Share stories of role models who made an impact through character, not popularity. Help them unfollow accounts that trigger comparison or insecurity. Teach that true identity is rooted in God’s love, not public approval. Building real-world confidence equips children to resist unhealthy digital pressure and embrace their God-given dignity with joy and freedom.
Topic 47: The Dangers of Over-Sharing Location Online
Apps and social platforms often encourage sharing exact locations. Teach your child why this is unsafe—it can allow strangers to track them in real time. Show them how to turn off location tagging in photos and posts, and encourage only broad references (like “city,” not street names). Explain that predators and scammers misuse location data. As parents, model safe behavior by avoiding detailed location sharing yourself. Reassure your child that protecting their whereabouts is about safety, not secrecy. By limiting oversharing, you reduce risks and help children see privacy as an act of wisdom and love.
Topic 48: Faith Practices to Support Digital Strength
Prayer, sacraments, and Scripture help children build inner strength to resist online temptations. Begin and end the day with family prayer, asking God for wisdom and protection in digital choices. Encourage children to bring online struggles to confession, where God’s mercy restores peace. Share stories of saints who resisted temptation, linking their example to today’s challenges. Consider a short daily devotional or rosary to center family life on faith before screens. These practices remind kids that God cares about their online life, too. Rooted in faith, children develop resilience, purity, and courage in a digital world.
Topic 49: Encouraging Teens to Use Tech for Good
Technology can be a powerful tool for good. Encourage your teen to use digital platforms to share encouragement, highlight talents, or support causes. Suggest they start a small faith-based blog, create positive TikTok content, or participate in online service opportunities. Celebrate their creativity and responsibility when they use tech to uplift others. Show examples of peers who influence for good, proving they don’t have to follow negative trends. Teaching teens to use tech constructively helps them see it as a gift to steward wisely, not just a toy. Empower them to be digital leaders, not passive consumers.
Topic 50: How to Talk About Online Forgiveness and Grace
Children sometimes make poor digital choices—posting unkind words, sharing too much, or clicking on harmful content. Teach them that mistakes are not the end. Explain the importance of seeking forgiveness from those they hurt, making amends, and learning from the experience. Link this process to God’s grace: just as He forgives us, we can forgive ourselves and others. Encourage confession, prayer, and honest family conversations about digital struggles. Modeling forgiveness helps children avoid shame and instead grow stronger. By framing mistakes as opportunities for grace, you teach resilience, healing, and the importance of living with integrity.