Protecting Your Children in the Digital Age: 5 Essential Resources for Parents

With media messages bombarding children from all angles—TV, social media, apps, and even at school—guiding them to live according to faith and values is more important than ever. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Many resources for parents are available to help you navigate these waters, strengthen family bonds, and ensure your children are grounded in truth. 

5 Powerful Resources for Parents To Protect Your Children Online

1. Covenant Eyes

The internet is full of content that can erode moral values, particularly around sexuality and relationships. Covenant Eyes is an indispensable tool for protecting your family from explicit material online. Its powerful software monitors internet use and sends accountability reports to trusted partners, empowering parents to lead open, honest conversations with their children. The service even includes expert guidance on navigating conversations around pornography and helping children understand the value of purity and respect.

With Covenant Eyes, you can not only filter harmful content but also receive personalized insights to aid in building a culture of virtue within your home.

Find out more at Covenant Eyes

2. Bark Technologies Blog

It’s no secret that social media can expose children to inappropriate content and harmful interactions. That’s where Bark Technologies comes in. Bark’s monitoring services flag potential risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, and suicidal ideation, allowing parents to intervene at critical moments. Their blog is an excellent resource for staying informed about trends in technology, app safety, and new digital challenges.

From tips on setting screen time limits to advice on talking to teens about their online habits, the Bark blog keeps parents equipped with up-to-date strategies for raising responsible digital citizens.

Explore the blog at Bark Technologies

3. The Humanum Project

For parents looking to deepen their child’s understanding of love, marriage, and the human person, the Humanum Project is a beautiful initiative. This resource emphasizes the dignity of every human being through a lens informed by Catholic teachings. Its videos, articles, and educational tools dive into topics like marriage, family, and the gift of the body, helping children and teens develop a healthy and holistic view of relationships. 

These materials are designed to engage young people in meaningful conversations about what it means to be human, why marriage matters, and how the body expresses the person.

Learn more at Humanum Project

4. Theology of the Body Institute

St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body offers profound insights into human love, relationships, and the meaning of life. The Theology of the Body Institute has made this treasure accessible to families with various resources, including workshops, books, and online courses. These materials can help parents teach their children the beauty of human sexuality and the purpose of our bodies in God’s divine plan.

Introducing Theology of the Body at an early age can help children build a foundation rooted in self-worth, respect, and a deeper understanding of God’s design for relationships.

Explore resources at Theology of the Body Institute

5. Scepter E-Booklets: Questions of Sexual Ethics + Celibacy, Personality, and the Gift of Self

For parents who want to address specific questions of morality and sexuality with their children, Scepter Publishers offers concise, practical e-booklets. These include Questions of Sexual Ethics and Celibacy, Personality, and the Gift of Self, both of which offer clear, approachable teachings on complex issues. Rooted in Catholic thought, these booklets help parents foster deeper conversations with their children about living a life of virtue and understanding the gift of self within the context of love and relationships.

Scepter’s materials are great tools to supplement family discussions on sexual ethics, making these important conversations less daunting and more accessible.

Browse their booklets at Scepter Publishers

BONUS Resource: Setting Up Parental Controls on Social Media Apps

In addition to using monitoring software and faith-based resources, it’s crucial to utilize the built-in parental controls on popular social media apps. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all offer features that allow parents to set boundaries, limit screen time, and monitor the content their children are exposed to.

For example, Instagram and TikTok both allow parents to enable **restricted modes**, limit interactions with strangers, and block inappropriate content. You can also manage direct messaging features, control who can comment on your child’s posts, and even review their followers.

To help you navigate this, Bark Technologies and other platforms offer step-by-step guides for setting up these controls on various apps. By taking advantage of these features, you can create a safer, more controlled online environment for your children—allowing them to enjoy the positive aspects of social media while minimizing exposure to harmful content.

As parents, it’s vital to stay proactive in guiding your children through the often-confusing landscape of today’s media. With these trusted resources, you can feel more confident in helping them develop strong moral compasses and guiding them to embrace their dignity as children of God. With a little help, you can protect your family and nurture their spiritual growth in today’s digital age.