Can I Invade My Child’s Electronic Privacy?

 Sanctification

Why invade our children’s privacy? To keep them safe, to make them feel secure. And to sanctify them—that’s a big fancy word that just means growing more like Jesus.

The digital generation is forging a new path in a world dominated by technology over in-person communication, screen time over touch, emotional distance over personal connection. We must continually remind them, and model for them, the art of personal relationship. God incarnated himself and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus healed many people by physically touching them. He sat with an accused woman and looked her in the eye as he forgave her (John 8:3–11). In his flesh, Jesus suffered for our sakes, died in a violent manner, and was raised bodily from the dead by God the Father (Luke 24:36–43). God cared about the personal touch enough to become human forever in the person of Jesus.

Why do I say all that? Because people matter most. If we can teach our kids this truth, especially as they learn and grow in their use of personal technology and communication, they will develop the ability to own the technology instead of it owning them. Show them how these tools can be used for good, even for the gospel. If you want to know your children fully, you must be willing to wade into their phones and computers. (Are they being bullied? Are they the bullies? What’s she saying to her boyfriend? Is he treating her well?) Discover poor usage early so it can be corrected, hopefully with minimal damage along the way. Model admirable online habits. You may even learn something remarkable about your kid from her text messages (encouraging someone?). You’ll never really know until you investigate.

And they will be grateful you did.