If Kids Are Going to Be Online, Faith-Formative Content Needs to Be There, Too

Let’s face it, wishing for the old days when kids played outside all day and pretended to be Luke Skywalker won’t change the fact that we’ve been chosen by God to parent at this time in history. Raising kids in the digital age isn't easy, but if we allow the Lord to help us, we can guide our children through the minefields of today’s technology, help them develop their faith, and influence future generations for Christ.

The current younger generations are growing up with unlimited access to the internet, unprecedented online connection, and instant "infotainment.” Consequently, this generation also has the highest levels of loneliness, social anxiety, and mental health issues. Suicide and depression rates are currently at all-time highs for children, specifically tracking with the use of social media. The average boy is exposed to pornography as early as 11 years old, while many girls are absorbing lies through comparison and vain image obsession.

While this picture may look somewhat bleak, let us not forget we have some say in the matter. As parents, we have been entrusted with the important responsibility of protecting our kids’ innocence, guarding their hearts, and disciplining them with truth and love — ultimately, training them up in the ways of the Lord and setting their feet upon an unshakable foundation. Yet, how do we compete with the allures of the digital world?

Generation Z and Faith Formation

Most people form their values and beliefs before the age of 20. If our kids are going to be entertained online, then fun, faith-formative content needs to be there, too. For the first time in the history of our nation, less than half of Americans go to church. While 62% of people over 40 in this country believe in God, only 32% of our children do.

Additionally, recent research conducted by the American Bible Society revealed that Gen Z is more undecided than previous generations about the Bible’s importance in society and whether it’s necessary for their lives. It would seem that Christianity has less influence on Gen Z today than on any previous generation. Yet, Barna research shows that parents—especially engaged Christian parents—are eager for their children to develop a lasting faith. Unfortunately, many lack clarity on how to disciple their children well in a decidedly post-Christian context. 

Proverbs 22:6 instructs us as parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Short of moving off the grid or reverting back to simple flip phones, it’s impossible for families to escape the flood of messages that come in their direction each day. By practicing discernment in what kinds of media we allow our children to engage with, we’re guarding their hearts and minds against things that could be damaging to them or pull them away from faith in Christ.

From movies to music, every day, our minds are bombarded by content filled with sexual innuendo, violence, and questionable morals. Teaching our children digital discernment from an early age will help them make wise content choices later in life and may impact their thoughts and actions for years to come.

The Case for Christian Gaming

Recognizing that digital entertainment is here to stay, we don’t have to eliminate our kids’ enjoyment of it we just need to choose our sources wisely. Technology doesn’t have to be a scary space for parents and kids. In fact, believe it or not, it can be a faith-formative ally. The video game industry, for example — an estimated $150 billion-a-year industry — generates more revenue than movies and music and continues to grow. Clearly, things have come a long way since the days of Pac-Man and Frogger.

Surprising to some, gaming is an ideal medium for faith exploration. Faith, like gaming, is experiential, developed through trial and error. God gives each of us the will to live out our faith as we choose. He even gives us grace to try again when we fail. The internet and mobile app stores are vast, untapped resources for spreading the message of Jesus. There are 110 million people who go to church every Sunday, and 2.2 billion people identify as Christians globally. Why isn’t there more enriching content out there for them?

Many of today’s games feature violence and other illicit activities. Games can build us up, or they can tear us down. If game developers can embed biblical truths into creative and exciting storylines, why wouldn’t they? The good news is that, right now, there are experts with deep industry experience committed to making high-quality, faith-formative entertainment for today’s kids that points them to biblical values. Christian and non-Christian parents desiring fun games and other digital entertainment is a massively underserved market in the technology industry. Yet, the demand is there – parents want better choices. We can make our demand known by playing, downloading, and subscribing to uplifting, clean content for kids.

Redeeming Technology 

While the internet can be a wonderful place for education and socialization, we can’t afford to be naïve about the hidden dangers that lurk there as well. With so much darkness in today's popular entertainment, it’s important to be vigilant in guarding what our children’s eyes and ears consume. Practically speaking, we can do this by: 

• Limiting their screentime
• Participating in their digital activities with them
• Installing web filters
• Talking to them about what they’re experiencing online
• Supporting the development of high-quality, faith-formative content

Parents, you are an irreplaceable influence in the life of your child. Although you may feel three apps behind most of the time, your diligence to protect your kids online, cover them in prayer and point them to Christ whenever possible is critical in today’s world.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TomWerner

Brent Dusing is the CEO and founder of TruPlay, a gaming platform created to bring high-quality, fun and biblically-sound entertainment to audiences worldwide. Committed to seeing the betterment of children around the world, TruPlay is building games, digital comics, video content, and Web 3.0 content to bring light to a world in need of God’s love, hope and truth. For more information, visit truplaygames.com.