Want to hear something a little terrifying?

For centuries, parents have given their kids the awkward “birds and the bees” sex conversation. But we are the first generation of parents in the history of mankind who must have a “digital footprint” conversation with our kids.

We are the first generation that has to sit our kids down and say, “Let’s talk about Facebook and Twitter and Youtube.”

For a lot of parents, that is an overwhelming thought. When I tell parents that, they often respond, “My kids are so tech savvy! How am I ever supposed to keep up with the technology my kids are using?”

That is a great question, but do you want to hear something encouraging?

You don’t have to be as tech savvy as your kids.

You don’t.

In fact, if you try to chase technology as the best way to protect your kids in the online age, you’ll actually end up making a lot of mistakes.

Instead of focusing on technology, focus on truth.

Focus on building a set of consistent truths in your house that apply whether your kids are offline or online. Give them the truths that govern the way your home functions instead of trying to stay on top of the next technology and the next technology and the next technology.

That’s not to say you should ignore technology. I love filters and monitoring software for the Internet. I’ve personally used those for years and can’t recommend Safe Eyes enough. I think it’s great to supplement truth with technology where you can.

Here’s the challenge though, the best filter in the world doesn’t stretch from your house to a neighbor’s house. It doesn’t travel with your kid to the computer at the sleep over. It doesn’t travel with your kid to a library computer. It doesn’t travel with your kid to his friend’s Nintendo DS that he’s looking at on the bus ride to a basketball game.

But truth will.

My kids are probably going to be using hologram scented 5D technology before long. And I’ll be baffled by it, but that’s OK. Because I don’t need to chase technology. I need to teach truths. And help my kids pick them up so deeply and passionately that no matter what technology they face, they will not drop them.

Question:
What’s the best thing you’ve done when it comes to your kids and the Internet?