By Dr. Floyd Godfrey

Navigating Parenting and Faith in the Age of Digital Temptation

In an era when smartphones, tablets, and virtual reality headsets can offer unfiltered access to explicit content, Christian parents are faced with a profound challenge: how to raise children with a healthy, God-honoring understanding of sexuality while living in a culture flooded by pornography.

The digital world has changed the conversation about sex. It's no longer a question of if children will be exposed to pornography, but when. As Weiss and Glaser (2021) assert, "Without question, pornography is a part of our children's world and has been for a long time" (p. 6). The sobering reality is that exposure often begins at a young age, sometimes unintentionally, through innocent web browsing, online advertisements, or friends' devices.

Unfortunately, many parents feel unprepared to respond. Weiss and Glaser (2021) observe, "Many of us were taught little more than that God wanted us to reserve sex for marriage, so that's what we've passed on to our kids" (p. xvi). While this foundational truth remains vital, it is no longer sufficient in a world where the sexual narrative is being aggressively written by digital media.

Understanding the Landscape

Today’s pornography is not just available—it is omnipresent. “Pornography can be accessed from nearly anywhere with a smartphone and an internet connection,” Weiss and Glaser (2021) write, “and it is exploding into the realm of virtual reality through headsets and smart suits” (p. 2). This shift makes shielding children from pornography nearly impossible. But more importantly, it reveals a deeper need: our children don’t just need protection—they need discipleship.

Modern Christian parenting must move beyond mere avoidance. Instead, we must teach our children what God has said yes to—not just what He has said no to. Sexuality is not a taboo subject to be whispered about or avoided altogether. It is a beautiful, sacred gift designed by God for covenant marriage, as reflected in Genesis 2:24 and Hebrews 13:4. The goal is not shame, but truth; not fear, but formation.

Teaching Healthy, Biblical Sexuality

The conversation starts at home. Children should first hear about sex not from friends or TikTok, but from loving parents who are committed to teaching with honesty, grace, and biblical wisdom. When we lead with curiosity and empathy, we create a safe space for our children to ask questions and voice confusion.

Here are a few key principles to guide these important conversations:

1. Start Early and Keep Talking
   Don’t wait for the “big talk.” Instead, have many small conversations that evolve as your child grows. This builds trust and helps normalize the discussion of sexuality as part of everyday discipleship.
2. Be Honest About the World
   As Weiss and Glaser (2021) note, “Even good kids are falling prey to the powerful pull of pornography, some simply because they were born into a porn-saturated culture” (pp. 6–7). Recognize that curiosity, temptation, and exposure are part of the reality your child will face, regardless of their moral intentions.
3. Teach the Why, Not Just the What
   Rules without reasons often lead to rebellion. Don’t just tell your children to “wait until marriage”—explain why God designed sexuality to be exclusive to that covenant. Help them see that it’s not about repression, but about protection and joy.
4. Address Pornography Directly
   Avoiding the topic won’t make it disappear. Instead, proactively discuss what pornography is, how it distorts God’s gift of sex, and what it does to the heart and mind. Equip your children with tools to recognize and resist its allure.
5. Model Grace and Redemption
   Your child may stumble. If that happens, respond with compassion and truth. Emphasize that failure is never final and that God’s grace is deeper than any sin. Point them toward restoration, not condemnation.

A Call for Courageous Parenting

Raising children in a pornographic world requires more than good intentions—it requires bold, Spirit-led parenting. It involves courageously engaging in difficult conversations, cultivating a biblical worldview, and living out the truth in our own lives.

Parents don’t need to be perfect; they need to be present. God’s design for sexuality is still good. It is still beautiful. And it is still worth teaching to the next generation, even—especially—in a world where counterfeit versions abound.

Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.

References
Weiss, D., & Glaser, J. (2021). Treading boldly through a pornographic world: A field guide for parents. Salem Press.