Published on January 21, 2024, 1:47 am

Image source: Fox News

In our era of unrestricted access to information, concerned parents and guardians are increasingly attentive to the content their children are exposed to. The growth of these concerns highlights a worrying shift in cultural norms and demands responsible countermeasures. This shift is particularly evident when it comes to age-inappropriate sexual content made accessible to children.

Historically, we have been strategic in protecting young people from products that could harm them. Alcohol, tobacco products, vaping materials, offensive weapons like knives, solvents and butane lighters are examples of items restricted by age due to their potential negative impact on younger demographics. These goods haven’t been forbidden outright; they’ve merely been made accessible based on maturity.

Regrettably, this rational thinking has grounded to an abrupt halt concerning explicit themes related to sexuality – specifically those connected with alphabet sexual urges and practices. Explicit sexually charged material is now worryingly obtainable in areas such as retail outlets, public libraries funded by taxpayers money and indeed school libraries.

In times past, children read about familial scenarios involving simple family characters engaged in everyday activities. Nowadays, childhood literature may include explicit diagrams resembling how-to-guides for various sexual activities, far beyond the comprehension realm of young minds – leading parents across the country rightfully questioning who is feeding this inappropriate material into their children’s learning journey.

A recent poll carried out by the EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot presents revealing insights on these issues:

– Over 80% of parents trust school librarians’ choice of books despite not knowing their decision-making process.
– More than 60% support the idea that school libraries ought to restrict access based on different age groups or content.
– Around 80% favor a content rating system for books.
– Majority were open to a notification system about borrowed books and granting parents control over library access.
– 37.24% were “not comfortable” with LGBTQ+ characters/themes in children’s literature while 34.52% insisted they were “very comfortable” and just over 28% were “somewhat comfortable”.

These findings reveal a “mixed message.” While parents trust librarians, most remain unaware of how books end up on school library shelves. Additionally, the data led to ongoing heated discussions about LGBTQ+ themes in children’s literature.

At the Southern Evangelical Seminary, our guiding principle rests on Scripture’s teachings rather than trending societal changes. A key scripture warning those who lead astray is Matthew 18:6 – “… whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Understandably this could apply just as much to local boards as it does concerned individuals; we all bear responsibility towards moral guidance – God forgive us.

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This article viable showcases that we must appreciate the freedom that comes with access to education and information, but not at the cost of safeguarding our young ones from potential harm. As a society driven by morals and integrity rooted in religious faith, it’s time we rethink what’s acceptable. Consideration is required concerning how appropriate content decisions are made, especially when it directly influences vast numbers of children across schools. It’s imperative now more than ever we grasp hold of common sense and reassume protection of young lives from explicit materials they may not yet be equipped or mature enough to process.