Protect Young Eyes

Creating Safer Digital Spaces – A Review

David Scott Fields II, Senior Writer • February 8, 2025

JUPITER, FLORIDA – How much time do you spend on social media – or even the Internet in general? These digital resources in many ways seem indispensable, and it is hard to imagine that for most of human history the world went along quite well without them. I know my students can’t imagine life without them. At this point, even my high school seniors have never lived at a time when the Internet and social media were not a thing. To many of them, these resources are their very lives. Some have managed to use digital tools responsibly to learn new things, create new things, or even build financial portfolios. But for far too many kids, the digital world is nothing more than a place for mindless entertainment and endless scrolling.

It is undeniable that the Internet has an impact (for good or ill) on everyone who engages with it, and young people are especially vulnerable to all the pits and potholes along the Information Super Highway. Enter Protect Young Eyes, an organization committed to creating safer digital environments for families, schools, and churches. Since this issue is incredibly relevant to teachers, my school recently invited PYE to visit and present to our community. My school considers this issue so critical that we actually had six sessions throughout the day – two parent sessions, one for elementary students, one for middle school students, one for high school students, and finally an after school session for faculty and staff exclusively.

Our guest speaker, Doug Crawford, shared in detail about how the Internet and social media affect the mind – including triggering the release of dopamine (the pleasure hormone) that causes an addictive effect to keep kids (and adults) returning to the platform. Sometimes all it takes is a single like on a post to get the ball rolling, and kids (and adults) start scrolling and posting endlessly. As Doug explained, in the digital world it is not the free social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, SnapChat and more that are the commodity – it is the people using them! The more people engage with the platforms for longer periods of time, the more money can be made by the people and advertisers who run them. And this is often done with little regard for the mental health and well being of the people consuming the media. In extreme cases, some young people have even taken their lives based on what they have experienced online.

One notable example of this is the story of Jordan DeMay, a young many who released comprising photos online and ended up being blackmailed by a group of Nigerian criminals. Jordan could not see a way to meet their demands, and so he took his own life. He was only 17 at the time of his death (Barr). And this is just one example. To say this needs to stop and we need to do better is an understatement!

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Protect Young Eyes operates with a mission rooted in biblical values, recognizing the importance of safeguarding children’s hearts and minds in a world filled with digital temptations and risks. The Bible calls believers to “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV), and this principle guides PYE’s efforts to equip families with the tools and knowledge needed to create a Christ-centered digital environment. By fostering intentionality in how technology is used, PYE helps families honor God in their choices, teaching children to be good stewards of their time and to avoid harmful content that can negatively influence their spiritual growth.

From my perspective, the sessions my school hosted with PYE were invaluable. I highly encourage any family, school, or church to take advantage of their resources. Protect Young Eyes conducts educational presentations across the globe – so really no place is too far to benefit from what they have to offer. Their website offers detailed reviews of popular apps, devices, and tools – equipping families with the knowledge needed to make sound decisions about the technology their children use.

One especially valuable resource they offer is “The Table,” a private online space where parents and caregivers can share experiences and access expert advice on digital safety. The organization also provides structured courses, such as “The Essential Tech-Ready Home Course,” which helps families establish healthy digital habits, and offers assessments to identify potential safety gaps in homes.

Through these efforts, Protect Young Eyes empowers parents, teachers, and more to create safe digital environments, ensuring kids can enjoy the benefits of the Internet without unnecessary risks. The best part of the Protect Young Eyes program is that it is guided by biblical values – so their mission goes into the very soul of the child. During the presentations at my school we were asked to repeat several times the statements, “I am created. I am valued. I am loved. And so are you.” This is an incredible sentiment rooted in scripture. As King David wrote in Psalm 139:13-14, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (NIV).

Protect Young Eyes encourages families to use technology in ways that glorify God and uphold the principles of love, integrity, and wisdom in their homes. May you find what they have to offer valuable. For more information, checkout their contact information below.

Contact Information:

Website: https://www.protectyoungeyes.com/
Email: [email protected]
Social Media:
- Instagram: @protectyoungeyes
- Facebook: Protect Young Eyes

References

Protect Young Eyes. https:/protectyoungeyes.com/ (Accessed February 8, 2025).
Barr, Luke. “Parents of Teenager Who Died by Suicide After Sextortion Scam Urge ‘Tough’ Conversations with Children.” ABC News, 8 Mar. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/US/parents-teenager-died-by-suicide-after-sextortion-scam-urge/story?id=99047305 (Accessed February 8, 2025).
Scripture taken from the New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.