“Why don’t you let him watch that new superhero movie?” my mother-in-law asked. I hesitated. My son was 5. Maybe it was time? Call me overprotective, but I’d wanted to shield my child from anything harsh or cruel as long as I could. To me, that included bad language, cruelty, materialism, negativity, and anything that could diminish a child’s innocence. I loved movies and wanted to share them with him at some point. But more than that, I wanted to protect his sweet, optimistic nature. To do so, I limited what he saw on screens.
Don’t get me wrong. Screen-time isn’t all bad. But it takes intentionality and effort to keep our kids safe on all fronts. We use car seats and bike helmets, but we also need to protect kids online and on screens. Here are 3 ways to protect a child’s innocence and the outlook they develop in life—it’s never too late to start.
1. Be selective with what you allow your child to see.
My kid picked up some “funny” insults he learned from a movie and started to use them on me. I know he didn’t really understand what he was saying, but he wanted the reaction he’d seen in the movie. I realized then that I needed to be a little more selective at this age with what I let him watch. When characters use condescending language or there’s glorified violence, it may be entertaining, but it sends kids the wrong message and can shape their words and behavior in real life.
How to protect your child: Check out Common Sense Media to read parent reviews of movies and TV shows before you let your child watch. Or open up ChatGPT and ask AI whether a show is appropriate for your kid at his age. The chatbot will quickly give you an answer based on several sources. Just remember: Even if a friend or family member recommends a show, trust your gut about whether you think it’s right for your child.
2. Choose not to give free access to screens and devices.
It’s so tempting to hand over our phones to our kids while we shop or eat out. Or we let them check out online while we take care of dinner or wrap up a work assignment. But giving kids the freedom to control their screen access can be dangerous. One click can lead to mature content we didn’t want them to see. And kids are smart. If they want to change the channel or turn off parental controls, they’ll probably figure out a way sooner than later.
How to protect your child: Parenting is hard. When we don’t know what’s entering their minds, we can’t step in to explain our values. Instead, encourage screen-free activities when you can.
3. Uphold your values and not others’ values.
We sometimes hear other parents allowing a certain show or video game and feel unspoken pressure to do the same. I don’t like feeling like the mean mom by saying no. But parenting expert Sue Atkins says that early exposure to content that’s not age-appropriate “can have profound effects on your child’s emotional and psychological well-being, thrusting them into a world far beyond their years.” If you want to protect your child’s innocence, resisting social or societal pressures and upholding your family’s values is key.
How to protect your child: You can protect your child’s innocence by giving plenty of opportunities to play, explore, and create offline. “This helps [your child] learn about the world in a safe and supportive manner,” says mom entrepreneur Louise Causon. Also, be a good role model with your own screen use. Kids are always looking to us to see how they should behave.
What have you done for your family to help encourage and protect innocence in childhood?
