Discussion Thread: Digital Age Parenting, Media Policy, and Cyberbullying
The most interesting subject in Modules 5 and 6 was the effect of digital media on
children and youth development. The course material emphasized the importance of media
exposure in the children and adolescents' everyday life. Today's children are growing up with
technology everywhere, including in the classroom, via television, through their mobile
devices, social media and via online games. Technology has numerous educational and social
advantages, but it has many drawbacks for parents, teachers and policy makers.
One thing that I found interesting was the difference between active and passive
media exposure. Children are exposed to media that they are not actively watching but are
constantly exposed to, such as background media like television music playing while they are
doing homework, watching television while eating and watching television at night before
they go to sleep (Demirdag & Kucuk, 2026). The course discussion highlights research that
indicates that over-exposure to the media can lead to sleep disturbances, lower concentration
and even higher sedentary levels, which can play a role in obesity. At the same time, media is
not entirely negative. Learning, creativity and positive social behaviors can be encouraged
through educational and pro-social programming. This was a balanced view essential as there
could be a tendency to only discuss the risks when talking about technology and not the
benefits.
One other topic that I found to be relevant was cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is not
the same as traditional bullying; it can happen at any time and can impact individuals even
when they are at home (Alsebaei & Aljasir, 2024). The online social spaces, communication
platforms and games provide the opportunity to hurt, exclude, and publicly shame others.
Studies have shown that anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and social isolation have been
linked to cyberbullying among adolescents. The key factors that make cyberbullying so
worrisome is that bullying messages are always there and that online content is easily
accessible. Any mean-spirited remarks or pictures can be shared easily and quickly to many
people and make it even worse for the victims. Therefore, a partnership between parents,
schools and communities is essential to teach young people about their digital citizenship and
appropriate online interactions (Ghosh et al., 2025).
Parenting in the Digital Age is a very different process from parenting several decades
ago. The previous generations were mainly focused on observing TV viewing and meeting
people in real life. Parents have to deal with social media, online games, and smart phones,
and adapt to the latest technology. Today it is not enough to set limits on the use of screens;
it's essential to teach critical thinking, online safety, and healthy digital use. Open
communication is vital so that children are at ease talking about their online experiences,
including if they have experienced cyberbullying or inappropriate content. Parents need to
help children learn to regulate themselves and use technology responsibly, not just set limits.
The protection of children and adolescents also is a significant aspect of media policy. The
task for policymakers is to strike a balance between the right to freedom of expression and
the protection of young users against harmful content, privacy abuse and online abuse.
Compliance with guidelines on children's data collection, rating of material and anti-
cyberbullying policies can help ensure safer online spaces. However, policy alone is not
enough. It's every family, school, technology company and community's responsibility to
support healthy digital engagement.
These issues highlight from the Christian perspective the need for stewardship,
wisdom and loving relationships. Christians are expected to apply technology responsibly - to
the glory of God and to the good of others. Ephesians 4:29 calls us to speak words that build
up, not tear down. The same rule goes online and is an excellent countermeasure to
cyberbullying. Also, parents are called upon to be spiritually and morally watchful over their
children, to train them to think well about the media they consume. Technology is not
inherently good or bad; it is the attitude behind the use of technology. Christians can help
children and adolescents engage the digital age in positive and healthy ways by encouraging
them to be kind, to take responsibility, and to make wise choices.
References
Alsebaei, M., & Aljasir, S. A. (2024). Parenting in the Digital Age: Mediation Strategies as a
Preventive Factor against Cyberbullying on Social Media among Saudi Parents.
Communication & Society, 143–162. [Link]
Demirdag, M. C., & Kucuk, S. (2026). The impact of parental behaviour in the digital age on
awareness of cyberbullying prevention: the role of technological literacy and parental
stress. BMC Psychology, 14(1). [Link]
Ghosh, R., Malhotra, M., & Kumar, N. (2025). Cyber bullying in the digital age. In Advances
in social networking and online communities book series (pp. 151–180).
[Link]
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. [Link]
(Original work published 1769)