In a world increasingly glued to glowing screens, one powerful image speaks volumes without needing many words.

The illustration shows a family in bed—a mother and father focused on their phones, while a young child lies between them, wide-eyed, holding a picture book. On the blanket below them are ABC books and children’s stories, untouched. The caption is a sobering reminder from Proverbs 22:6:

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

It’s a message not just for religious believers, but for every parent, guardian, and adult who shapes young lives.

📉 When Presence is Not the Same as Attention
We live in a time where families often share physical spaces but are emotionally miles apart. The rise of smartphones, social media, and endless digital distractions has reshaped our relationships. Children don’t just need our presence—they need our attention, our eyes, our ears, our time.

This image illustrates what happens when we unintentionally send the message:

“My phone is more interesting than you.”

Even though it’s not spoken, it is heard loud and clear by children.

🧠 Impact on a Child’s Emotional Development
Studies show that children who don’t receive consistent attention and emotional engagement from caregivers may struggle with:

Low self-esteem

Difficulty in emotional regulation

Behavioral issues

Poor academic performance

A growing dependence on digital devices for comfort and stimulation

When children are ignored, they learn to ignore. When they are emotionally neglected, they begin to withdraw.

🪞 Children Imitate What They See
Children are incredible imitators. They mimic language, habits, gestures—and yes, even how we use (or overuse) technology.

The book and toy beside the child in the illustration symbolize forgotten moments of bonding. If we trade bedtime stories for late-night scrolling, what memory will children carry forward? The verse from Proverbs reminds us that the early years are foundational. The way we raise them now echoes into adulthood.

🛑 A Call to Parents: Put the Phone Down
No app, message, or scroll is more important than the opportunity to shape a young heart. Let’s ask ourselves:

Did I look into my child’s eyes today and really listen?

Did I set down my phone and pick up a book to read together?

Did I model balance, boundaries, and genuine connection?

The answers may be uncomfortable—but they are the first steps toward change.

💬 Final Thought
As parents and guardians, we are the first and most powerful role models children ever have. If we ignore them now, they may do the same to us later—not out of rebellion, but because they learned it from us.

Let’s be the example they need—not the one they silently suffer from.

📌 #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #Proverbs226 #PutThePhoneDown #BePresent #ParentingMatters