Hello! Every few weeks, we share the latest digital news that impacts your family, update you on what the Protect Young Eyes team is up to, and end with a quick note from Chris.
We hope our research helps you feel informed and confident, and that our work with schools, churches, and non-profits is motivating.
The latest news:
- Kids are checking out books in record numbers! After a school in Louisville, KY, removed cell phones, kids are heading to the library!
- Roblox sextortion ends in suicide. More bad news about this wildly popular "kids" app. What started in Roblox, moved to Discord, and ended in Ethan's death. His mom is suing the app. #deleteroblox
- Google added a cheat button to Chrome. A "homework help" feature in Google's Gemini (AI) is leading to classroom problems. Google is brazenly exploiting education.
- AngelQ launched a new research mode. The safe learning guide for iPhones and iPads is the best way for kids to explore answers online. Check them out today!
- Meta is lying about child harm. Meta's lawyers told researchers to hide incriminating evidence that a 10-year-old experienced sexualized activity in VR. Video from the Congressional hearing is astonishing (Instagram, Facebook).
- AI is disrupting how young brains grow. The evidence continues to mount that "young brains are built, not born." Kids can learn about AI without using it to offload their brilliance.
- A devastating hearing on AI companions. Heartbreaking Congressional testimony was given by parents grieving the loss of their children. AI companions must be outlawed for minors.
- Check on your boys. In the wake of viral Charlie Kirk content, some speculate that our young boys are at greater risk of being pulled into more extreme digital media.
- Responding to violent content. We created a guide to help us have conversations about digital violence with our children.
- iOS 26 is out for iPhones and iPads. There are some great improvements to parental controls! But one change made the App Store even worse for kids. Read our full iOS 26 write-up.
What PYE is up to:
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A Bad Apple
In an event organized by HEAT Initiative, Design It For Us, and The LOG OFF Movement, just over 100 of us protested in front of Apple’s flagship store in NYC during the iPhone 17 release. We asked Apple to do better. Here's my message to Tim Cook.
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The Silent Church
I'm speaking at the THINQ Conference in Nashville about sextortion. Joined by hundreds of ministry leaders, it's a call to action for the Church to be more aggressive on critical tech issues.
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Writing for Jon
I was honored to share our practical guidance on Jonathan Haidt's site. In a relentless digital world, we need multiple layers of protection! Here's how.
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Upcoming speaking:
(PYE Master Calendar)
- Sept. 25, GA/FL Lutheran District (FL)
- Sept 28-29, Christ Lutheran (AZ)
- Sept 29-30, Salem Academy (OR)
- Sept 29-30, Trinity School of Midland (TX)
- Oct. 2, THINQ Conference (TN)
- Oct. 3, Brooklyn Tabernacle (NY)
- Oct. 7, Columbine Country Club (CO)
- Oct. 7, St. Andrew the Apostle (MI)
- Oct. 7-8, St. Josaphat (IL)
- Oct. 7-8, The Pilgrim Academy (NJ)
- Oct. 8, Moss Haven Elementary (TX)
- Oct. 14, Phillips Academy (CA)
- Oct. 14, Allen Ave. CRC (MI)
- Oct. 16, Sora Schools (GA)
- Oct. 16, Zion Lutheran (IL)
- Oct. 22, Trinity Lutheran (MO)
- Oct. 22, Zeeland Christian (MI)
Email Michele to bring us to your community! These Facebook and Instagram posts explain our new talk titles! Updated with the latest AI news and tips for parents.
A note from Chris:
Digital spaces have been dominated by viral, violent content. Two horrible videos recently circulated - the woman stabbed on a subway and the Charlie Kirk assassination. At dinner one night, my 15-year-old son commented about how kids at school were watching the subway stabbing.
I was extremely upset that more schools didn't block YouTube altogether for a week. Kids were finding this content on school devices.
I often have solutions, but how do you stop videos from just showing up? It was like a hydra.
Experiences like these remind me of God's instructions to Hebrew parents in Deuteronomy 6:5-9. Essentially, "Talk about noble, honorable, and holy things so often that your kids roll their eyes and finish your sentences."
Not sure what to do or where to begin? We created The Table as a place to find assurance. Ask Abby. She can help.
Parenting with you,
Chris & PYE
#delayistheway
P.S. School and ministry leaders - a new feature! If you want to share this newsletter with your parents, please share this direct link.
