There is a war being waged for the hearts and minds of children, Traylor Lovvorn of Undone Redone said, and it’s one that his organization, Samford University’s Ministry Training Institute (MTI) and The Alabama Baptist are fighting through events like “My Secure Family: Equipping Parents to Protect Children in the Digital Age.”
“Events like this help prepare parents for the battle that they are in,” said Lovvorn, who co-founded Undone Redone with his wife, Melody, to minister to those affected by sexual sin. “Good parenting is preparing our children for the world that we live in. In [this] age, shielding them from reality is no longer a viable option.”
Dangerous websites
“My Secure Family,” which will be held at Samford on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon, will cover specific apps and websites that are dangerous and educate and equip parents amid the ever-changing digital landscape.
“Our main focus will be to provide the framework that parents can use to begin or continue a healthy dialogue with their children in this area,” Lovvorn said.
“We want our children to develop a biblical, Christ-centered worldview. So, as parents, we must counter the many, many messages that our children receive on a daily basis that [go against the Bible].”
As parents, Lovvorn and Samford’s Kevin Blackwell understand that the vast sea of information the Internet provides to their children can be both good and bad.
Blackwell, assistant to the president for church relations and executive director of MTI, said, “As the father of three teenage girls I am concerned about the potential impact that digital media could have on my family. Parents must be vigilant in their response to the threats that are lurking behind each digital corner.”
And parents having the right kind of information is key to making good decisions for their children, he said.
Lovvorn said, “For some parents, [this seminar] will be a wake-up call as they begin to understand how easily the innocence of our children can be taken in our day and time.
“Our big hope is that, because of this seminar and some of the practical steps that are put in place as a result, many children who otherwise would have been exposed to inappropriate content are protected and kept safe.
“It can be overwhelming and tempting, at times, to throw in the [towel],” he said. “But reminding ourselves what is at stake — the hearts of our children — has to be our main motivator as we engage this fight.”
Blackwell said, “If you are the parent to children who have smart phones, tablets or who interact with computers you will need to make this seminar a priority.”
Deadline to register for “My Secure Family” is Jan. 22.
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