Introduction
There is more and more evidence that the Cyberworld is dangerous to our children.. Learn what the dangers are and how to combat them.
Cyberbullying
The consequences of our smartphones are devastating. Our twelve-year-old niece hung herself in her school bathroom. A gifted, pretty girl, at the top of her class. Heartbreaking!. Cyberbullying drove her to end her life. How can we protect and prevent it from recurring? Do we recognize the need for an intervention? Or will it be too late, and we weep bitterly after all the signs we willfully ignored? Do you have someone in mind?
Social Withdrawal
Are you aware that more and more people are withdrawing, no longer present, their minds elsewhere, losing the ability to focus and stay on task? The warning signs of rampant cognitive decline, with spiraling bad grades. Sleep deprivation, nodding off, difficulty staying awake, and inability to function properly. Killed by someone going off the road in a stupor, or checking a text? The dangers of the cyberworld are endless. Blackmail with sextortion, Predators, and scams. The dark web has our information, and now AI can modify our images, creating deepfakes and even mimicking our very voice!
Anxiety
We are distracted by endless, meaningless scrolling, the hunt for the next dopamine rush to get the most likes. This is the most anxious generation, and the suicide rate has increased to alarming levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, consumed by the need and fear of comparing ourselves with filters to enhance our looks. Food-bullying. We need to stop this madness and demand phone-free zones in schools! Some are afraid to eat for fear of embarrassing photos going viral.
“For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. ” Sam.16:7 (NIV)
Hikikomori – A form of Social Withdrawal
Are you aware of “Hikikomori,” a form of social withdrawal in which people no longer leave their rooms and use litter boxes? This did not happen overnight. All of us get exploited by these tech companies, and our brains demand dopamine. Have you witnessed tantrums when a device is taken away? Like a junkie wants his next high. Or the gambler feverishly hitting that jackpot. What will wake us up and scare us straight? “The Google effect?” Digital amnesia is increasing to an alarming level. Let’s stop weakening our pathways. We are all being dumbed down and losing the ability to function as we were meant to with our God-given minds.
Guardrails
Beware, there are very few guardrails to protect our children. 72% of children have reportedly used bots. You need to reinforce that AI is not human. Your advice, therapy, or help is no longer sought after as AI chatbots, Gemini, Claude, and Gork are now companions. Many lives have ended tragically on these platforms. We need to take charge, be present, share our values and faith, and point to God who created us. Limit screen time, set controls on apps.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed byy the renewing of your ming. The4n you will be abe to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. ” Rom. 12:2 (NIV)
Global Movements
Parents and Educators around the globe are joining the movement “Wait Until 8th.” In Australia (Wait Mate), in Mexico, Movimiento No Es Momento and Delay Smartphones MX. ( SFC) Smartphone-Free Childhood. I recommend everyone read the book by Chris McKenna, Founder and CEO of Protect Young Eyes: 5 Habits of the tech-ready Family. The knowledge and resources in this book will give you the tools you so desperately need to navigate the cyberworld.
Commitment to Protect our Children
Let’s make a commitment to speak up and take responsibility for protecting the youngest who show signs of speech delay. Give eye contact and return to real play for their healthy development. There are consequences we can’t escape, so stop the damage these devices have on our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Do it before it is too late. I encourage you to seek God’s wisdom found in the Bible. He will give us the courage and weapons to defeat these enemies. If God is for us, who can be against us?
Anna. Showalter July 2026
