The Deacon

In today’s digital age, the internet poses significant threats to the health and well-being of children. Our children are facing dangers that we did not have to navigate when we ourselves were kids. From exposure to inappropriate content to predatory individuals, the dangers are real and alarming. To address this urgent issue, I developed “Smart Parenting in the Digital Age,” a comprehensive 10-step program designed for parishes and schools to support parents in keeping their children safe online.

As a father and grandfather, married 50 years with four children and five grandchildren, I have always felt a calling to safeguard children. This led me to establish Parents Protecting Children, Inc. (strongerfamiliesonline.org), a nonprofit organization focusing on helping parents shield children from internet dangers.

The internet is a double-edged sword. While it offers vast educational resources, it also exposes all minds to harmful content and predatory behaviors. The statistics are alarming: 73% of teens have seen online pornography; 95% of teens have smartphone access; 54% of children have been exposed to pornography online before the age of 13 (Common Sense Media). These figures illustrate a pressing need for proactive measures.

Pornography can lead to sexting, bullying, sextortion, social media abuse and sex trafficking. Predatory individuals use these platforms to locate and exploit children. Millions of predators are constantly attacking millions of children with innovative and cutting-edge AI software and technology on all social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Messenger, X (Twitter), Roblox and more.

Three hundred thousand American children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation each year, according to the Safe House Project.

This 10-step program includes nationally recognized books designed to help parents educate children of all ages (experts recommend starting at ages 3-6) on the dangers of the internet; safe smartphone alternatives; leading tech/app safety programs for all devices that access the internet; 25 bulletin inserts for parish/school publications; guidelines and instructions for setting up parish and school resource web pages; and a comprehensive presentation detailing these dangers that can be given to schools, parents, grandparents and various groups within the parish. This program provides everything parents need to keep their kids safe.

A Fight for Our Kids

Dr. Andrew Sodergren, director of Ruah Woods Psychological Services, a leading Midwest agency, praises the program: “Pornography is a silent, global pandemic afflicting our children. It robs their innocence and instills in their minds a distorted view of sexuality. We must do everything we can to protect and inoculate them from this pervasive evil. The 10-Step Program is an excellent way to do just that.”

The multitrillion-dollar pornography industry is actively coming after our children and grandchildren. They provide free, widespread online access to extreme content. The porn industry hires Fortune 500 ad agencies to target teens. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat are popular among young people. Pornographers create profiles designed to appeal to teens on these sites, with very explicit, sexualized images and videos, and with links to pornographic websites (culturereframed.org).

The 10-step program discussed here is designed to be a turnkey solution that deacons, with the approval and support of their pastors, can easily implement in their parishes. The key benefits include education, which uses nationally recognized books (such as “Good Pictures, Bad Pictures”) to educate parents and children about online dangers; tech/app safety, which makes available leading safety programs for all internet-accessing devices; communication, as 25 bulletin inserts for parish/school publications are available for immediate use detailing risks and solutions; guidance on how to set up parish and school resource web pages with instructions; a comprehensive presentation, which provides all details of the threats and solutions for schools, parents and parish groups; community support which can help build a network of support with parents, teachers, deacons and professionals; and much more.

Deacons have a unique opportunity to help pastors implement this program in their parishes, which will go a long way in helping parents protect their children from the risk posed by the internet. The deacon is the perfect resource within a parish to take a leadership role in an action plan against this terrifying problem. Deacons are called to serve as ministers of charity. What better way to demonstrate that than to become a conduit for parents to the education and resources needed to keep our precious children from danger. The 10 steps are outlined in such a way that deacons can use, edit, tailor and implement a comprehensive program ideally suited for each parish and school from the information offered. This can be a wonderful ministry enabling a deacon to serve Jesus, the pastor, parish, parents, children and school.

Technology and Exploitation

The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Global Summit in Washington, D.C, held Aug. 5-8, 2024, with the theme “The Great Collision: Emerging Tech, Sexual Exploitation and the Ongoing Pursuit of Dignity,” focused on the intersection between sexual exploitation and tech innovations. As an attendee, I learned about the transformative potential and dangers of emerging technologies and their intersections with sexual exploitation.

Sixty experts shared what they knew on the latest developments in this burgeoning and disturbing field with deliberate dialogues, which contributed to actionable strategies. A key takeaway from the summit was that parents’ lack of understanding and recognition of the extreme dangers to children on the internet is a major obstacle in the fight to protect children. That is why this 10-step program is so valuable; it explains the dangers in detail to parents and provides all the resources they need to ensure their kids are internet-safe. The summit provided an accurate and current update on the resources, apps, technologies and techniques used to fight this pervasive evil, which have been incorporated into this particular program.

Implementation

We implemented this program in our local Our Lady of Hope Family of Parishes and St. Francis de Sales School in Cincinnati. In September 2024, we had a mandatory fifth- through eighth-grade student and parent meeting entitled, “How Strong Family Relationships Lead to Internet-Safe Kids Against the Many Dangers Online.”

A professional counselor addressed the group, and we passed out leading books to help parents educate their children, along with a comprehensive list of resources that included apps for smartphones, smartphone alternatives and key internet-device safety options designed to keep kids safe. The planning team included the pastor, professional counselor, deacon, school principal, director of religious education, evangelization director and youth minister. Parents were grateful to receive the education and resources that can be used to help protect their children.

In November 2024, I presented to parents and grandparents at St. Philip Parish with positive results. For parishes that do not have a school, the same approach can be implemented with parish religious education classes and other various groups within the parish.

Deacons have an excellent opportunity, with the pastor’s blessing, to help parents keep children safe in this digital age. Deacons can sign up on the website strongerfamiliesonline.org and find out how they can implement this 10-step program, and receive all files and presentations for a nominal fee (waivable upon request). Once a deacon signs up, all resources will be made available for implementation in the parish. Training is available.

Deacons can help parents keep their children safe online by implementing the program Together, we can create a safer online environment for our children.

DEACON JOHN O’MALEY is ordained for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He is a spiritual adviser for the local Knights of Columbus and Our Lady of Hope Veterans. He is the founder and president of Parents Protecting Children, Inc., and John O’Maley and Associates-National Sales and Marketing Consultants.