Across Antigua and Barbuda, our young people are growing up in an era Daniel foresaw when he wrote, “Knowledge shall increase.” Knowledge has indeed exploded — but wisdom has not kept pace, and our children are paying the price.

During this year’s Focus on Family Life in one of our local congregations, I shared a message titled, “Saving the Family in a Digital World.” Today, I want to speak directly to two groups who bear the greatest responsibility in this moment: our children , and the adults who guide them — parents and teachers.

The Digital World Is Reshaping Childhood

Children today swipe before they speak. They learn to tap screens before they learn to tie their shoes. They are surrounded by devices that entertain, educate, and connect — but also distract, distort, and endanger.

The digital world is like fire: useful when controlled, destructive when left unattended.

What we are seeing among our children:

• Shorter attention spans

• Declining academic performance

• Difficulty focusing in class

• Increased irritability and anxiety

• Exposure to harmful content

• Less interest in reading, chores, and real-life activities

• Weakened social skills and empathy

Many teachers across the island quietly admit: “We are not just teaching children anymore — we are competing with screens.”

And this is not just a Caribbean concern. Around the world, governments are waking up to the dangers children face online. In Australia, several states have already banned mobile phones in schools, and national leaders are calling for agebased restrictions on social media because of its impact on children’s mental health. When entire countries begin taking such bold steps, it tells us something: this is not a small issue — it is a global crisis.

A Story That Reflects a Nation

A father recently shared a moment that has stayed with me. He was driving with his young son, hoping to talk, hoping to connect. But the boy’s eyes never left the glowing screen in his hands.

“Son, can we talk?” the father asked.

Without looking up, the child replied, “Just a minute.”

That minute never came.

Later the father told me, “I realized I was losing my son — not to bad company, not to the streets, but to a screen.”

This quiet heartbreak is happening in cars, living rooms, and bedrooms across our nation. It is a warning we cannot ignore. We cannot continue like this.

Three Things Every Child Needs in This Digital Age

1. Discernment — Teaching Them to Choose What Is Good

Children must learn to ask:

• “Is this good for me?”

• “Does this honor my values?”

• “Is this true?”

• “Is this safe?”

Not everything online is evil — but not everything is good. Discernment is the shield that protects the mind.

2. Boundaries — Because Children Cannot Raise Themselves

Children need structure. They need limits. They need guidance.

Healthy boundaries include:

• No devices during meals

• No screens before bedtime

• No phones in bedrooms

• Time limits for social media and gaming

• Ageappropriate filters and monitoring

• Regular conversations about online behavior

A home without digital boundaries is like a house without doors — anything can walk in.

3. Positive Role Models — Children Become What They See

Parents cannot tell children to “get off the phone” while scrolling endlessly themselves.

Your digital habits become their digital future.

Show them:

• How to use technology responsibly

• How to speak respectfully online

• How to choose uplifting content

• How to balance screen time with real life

Children imitate what they observe, not what they hear.

The Hidden Impact on School and Behavior

Digital intrusion affects more than entertainment — it affects learning.

Teachers report that many children:

• Struggle to sit still

• Have difficulty reading long passages

• Lose interest quickly

• Rush through assignments

• Prefer screens over books

• Become frustrated when tasks require patience

This is not misbehavior — it is overstimulation.

The brain becomes conditioned to constant excitement, making normal classroom learning feel “boring.”

How Parents Can Protect Their Children Starting Today

Here are simple steps every household can begin immediately:

1. Create a family digital plan

2. Set daily screen limits

3. Keep devices in shared spaces

4. Talk openly about online dangers

5. Encourage reading, outdoor play, and chores

6. Use parental controls and filters

7. Model healthy digital habits

8. Pray with your children and guide them spiritually

Children do not need perfect parents — they need present parents.

A Final Word: The digital age is here to stay. Our children will grow up with technology — but they do not have to be consumed by it. If we teach them discernment , set boundaries , and model wisdom , they will not be swept away by the digital tide. Instead, they will rise above it — strong, grounded, and ready for the future.