Smart Strategies for Safer Screens

Keeping kids safe in an online world can seem like a never‑ending task, and if you weren’t born into the digital age, it may feel impossible. But Shane Hochstetler, pastor of the Eastwood Church in Columbus, Ohio, offers helpful insights as to how parents and families can better protect children from the pressures and negative influences of the outside world while giving them access to its blessings.

In Tuesday morning’s session, Hochstetler framed technology not as something to fear, but as something to govern with wisdom, transparency, and steady guidance. It is a reality of today’s world, and children must learn healthy ways to interact with it. The heart of the message was simple: guardrails protect, they don’t punish. In open conversation, children who want to use technology must also learn the real dangers that they often cannot yet perceive, such as addiction patterns, social pressure, or manipulation. Parents must explain the reason behind boundaries, building trust rather than secrecy.

Hochstetler emphasized that healthy digital habits begin early. Experts recommend avoiding screens as part of daily life of a child in the first two years, limiting use to video chatting with an adult, and keeping non‑educational screen time for ages two to five to about an hour on weekdays and three hours on weekends . Families were urged to remove devices from bedrooms and turn off screens 30–60 minutes before bedtime to protect sleep and development.

As children grow, Hochstetler outlined a staged pathway into technology starting with shared family devices in public spaces, then moving to communication‑only tools like US Mobile’s home phone or the Tin Can device, each costing around $100 with $10 monthly service. Kid‑focused smartwatches from Bark or Gabb offer GPS, approved contacts, and messaging for about $150–$180 plus $15 per month, providing safety without full internet access. For older children, monitored smartphones such as Bark or Gabb phones allow gradual, app‑by‑app independence while maintaining accountability.

Home networks also play a crucial role. Tools like Bark Home ($80) or the GL.iNet Flint 3 router ($210) allow parents to filter content, set schedules, and receive alerts if devices go offline or safeguards are tampered with . Families were encouraged to disable YouTube autoplay, block circumvention hubs like Reddit, and teach children how algorithms shape what they see.

Hochstetler closed with a reminder that digital wisdom grows through relationships, not restriction alone. Small, consistent changes such as device‑free dinners, shared charging stations, and predictable schedules build long‑term habits.

If you feel overwhelmed by the task of parenting in a digital age, you are not alone. Families are invited to join future sessions at 9:30 a.m. in the International Room in the Lambuth Inn, where these topics will continue with hands‑on demonstrations and practical tools for every stage of digital parenting.

—Benjamin Lawson