Parents

Madison Drake, APC

Children model behaviors, what are they seeing you do? As parents, it is imperative to know what the world is saying and what the Word is saying. To be aware of what the world is pushing on your children, understanding that the words we read in scripture are there to help correct what is wrong in society and culture. Society encourages us to put ourselves at the center, scripture encourages us to place Christ at the center of our lives. The difference is incomparable. The “all about me” approach to life is ultimately what led to the fall of Creation. With Jesus at the center of our lives, we find freedom. Our worth should be found through the Lord and not through likes and shares. Parents, when your children see the way that you act, you are showing them what is right. Show them that freedom comes from Christ and not a different set of circumstances. Today, we are surrounded by the media; it’s inescapable. The comparison game is huge, especially in the lives of this generation. Gen Alpha’s defining life events are advancement in Artificial Intelligence, politics, and screen time. They are more connected to technology than any other generation and have immediate access to information that increases rates of anxiety, depression and even suicide. Culture screams the opposite of Jesus’ message to them, the call to deny ourselves. The media is screaming that we are on the same level as God, which points to the idea that “only true happiness can come from me”.

Gen Alpha is growing up in a world where everything is “normal” and rarely anything is biblical. Sexuality and gender are discussed commonly, the traditional view of sexuality and relationships is no longer the baseline, and culture shows that more and more are adopting the LGBTQ+ lifestyle at such young ages. If you do not think that media plays a role in your child’s life, just look at their screen time and listen to the way they speak to or about themselves. Gen A has been exposed to screens to pacify, entertain and educate. Some children have a large digital footprint before they are even born!

Oxford University’s “Word of the Year” in 2024 was “brain rot” which means “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental health or intellectual state… from overconsumption…”(Who is Gen Alpha?). Constant scrolling is killing attention spans. Algorithms are shaping our actions. What we see and what we like continues to populate our feed, ultimately leading us down rabbit holes that leave us wanting more of something. Gen Alpha, and really any generation that is exposed to society and media, is becoming more isolated and less resilient.

So, how can we help?

Ask your children what they care about and care about it, too. If your belief does not line up with theirs, leave room for discussion, but remember, YOU are the parent and it is your job to train up your children in the way they should walk (Proverbs 22:6). Emphasize authenticity and honesty; be authentic with your children! They are searching for it online, and realness is hard to find when everyone only posts their “best”. Create opportunities for connection. Have routines that you are a part of, encourage them to spend time outside of TikTok and connect with you and the Lord. Meet your children where they are; just as God has been gracious to you, be gracious and forgiving to them! Again, YOU are the parent and it is your responsibility to teach them. Reframe the way they see failure. Model faith and a relationship with the Lord to
encourage their spiritual walk. Most of all, pray fervently for them. The enemy has no hold over your children when they are covered by your bold prayers!

Mueller, W. (2025, March). Too Much Me. CPYU Parent Page . https://cpyuparentpage.com/2025-marcheemeft/
Who is Gen Alpha?. Axis. (2025, March 17). https://axis.org/resource/a-parent-guide-to-gen-alpha/?utm_campaign=The+One+Conversation&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--42iYd-FfW2lZ2iiD5OXZ90NFLDTCWnsj50zFxGXbvHeJF2r__DLOl8qYj5u7Rnfovn8Xe4lTFSfnulJ7OL4TRGiI8LQ&_hsmi=352340996&utm_content=352340996&utm_source=hs_email