10/8/2024
If you think parenting is harder today than ever before, there are local experts who agree. This past weekend I attended “Stronger Together,” a community event hosted by Botetourt County Public Schools, aimed at educating parents, teachers, and those who work closely with children and teens on the unique challenges our youth are facing today.
The event was sobering, to say the least. We heard from local law enforcement officials, specifically from a division that tracks online exploitation of children. While each state has at least one such division, our state has two. In the division that covers our area alone, they receive over 10,000 tips per year related to the possession or distribution of images exploiting children. Often, these tips lead to arrests for crimes such as child pornography possession, distribution, and even more horrific offenses involving local children.
As a mother of two young children, I was astonished to learn that a child from Bedford had been abducted after communicating with criminals through Roblox, a popular video game targeted toward children—one I had recently allowed my own child to play.
The second speaker, another law enforcement officer, focused on drug abuse trends among young people in our area. Access to drugs has never been easier, and overdoses among teens have never been higher. He stressed how today's drugs are not only more accessible but also far more potent than those of previous decades.
For example, 30 years ago, the THC levels in marijuana were around 30%. Today, typical THC concentrations are closer to 50%, and in vaping forms, they can reach up to 90%. This is just one example of how drugs have evolved, not to mention the emergence of deadly substances like fentanyl.
Representatives from the American Heart Association then demonstrated how easy it is for teens to hide vapes and other drug paraphernalia in plain sight. They also highlighted the severe damage vaping is causing to our teens, despite the widespread belief that it is harmless—largely due to marketing by companies.
The workshop concluded with a presentation from Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, outlining the troubling rise in depression, anxiety, and suicide among teenagers today.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The challenges facing today’s parents can feel overwhelming. How do we help our children navigate these turbulent times? Is there hope, or are we destined to live in constant fear and anxiety over the worst-case scenarios?
There is hope. As followers of Christ, we know that our hope is not in this world, but in Jesus. He is the light in the darkness, and His way is free from the ensnarement of drugs and other harmful influences. When we point our children toward His love and truth, and they embrace life with Jesus as Lord of their lives, we can trust that He will protect them from being overtaken by destructive choices.
But does that mean we leave it all in Jesus' hands and do nothing? Absolutely not. As parents and caregivers, we have a sacred responsibility to raise these children in a God-honoring way. We must be involved in their lives—know the games they play, the apps they use, the social media platforms they frequent, and who they’re talking to both online and in real life. We need to set boundaries, ask tough questions, and hold them accountable. Our role is to guide them, challenge them, and most importantly, model for them what it looks like to follow Jesus.
Gone are the days of "do as I say, not as I do." Our children need to see us living lives that reflect our faith. That means putting down our own phones, turning away from our own distractions and addictions, and living in a way that our children can imitate. As Paul once said, "Imitate me, as I imitate Christ."
Prioritize What Matters Most
It’s important to remember that sports, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements are all great, but nothing should take the place of Jesus in our lives. If we’re investing more time and energy into sports, gaming, or entertainment than into our relationship with Christ, those things can quickly become our gods. And trust me, those "gods" won’t help your child navigate the dark and difficult waters of life. There is only one true God who can do that.
-Jackie Taylor