It has become increasingly difficult to protect children from unwholesome media, but it is not impossible! God has charged us as parents to raise our children “with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and to train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). As a parent, your involvement in the types of media your children consume is of the utmost importance. 

You can help guard their hearts and minds in the following ways:

1. Install a WiFi Router With Parental Controls. This will allow you to filter out all inappropriate content at the source, rather than trying to monitor individual devices.

2. Turn On Parental Controls on Cellphones. For an added level of protection, be sure to utilize the settings on individual devices, as well. 

3. Implement a No-Social-Media Policy in Your Home. There are many dangers on social media platforms, and they subject children to undue criticisms that can harm them emotionally, as well. 

4. Limit Video Games. In addition to choosing age-appropriate games for your children, parents can also set controls to limit blood, gore and language within the games. You can review any games your children want at CommonSenseMedia.org or pluggedin.com. You can also turn off chat features in games, so children can play online games without direct communication with unknown players.

5. Read Movie Reviews Beforehand. Err on the side of caution when it comes to your kids’ media consumption. Even a PG rating can often contain undesirable content, so use discernment and prayer in determining what your kids should watch. You can also check pluggedin.com for movie reviews from a Christian perspective.

6. Limit the Lyrics. Music services, such as iTunes, provide parental controls, so children can’t listen to explicit lyrics. 

7. Remain Involved and Attentive. Nothing protects children more than an involved, attentive parent. Take time, over family dinners, for example, to talk about the things your kids are seeing and listening to.