I share a property with my sister and her family, so I can often hear my nieces playing outside if I leave my doors open. They’re in a safe backyard, but they still face opportunities to get hurt. Today, the 2-year-old came into my house to see me and shut her finger in the screen door. They trip over on the concrete driveway. Tussles occasionally erupt over toys.

But my nieces are far safer playing outside than cooped up inside on devices.

In her recent article, Emily Harrison describes the dangers of scrolling for kids and urges Christians to play a leading role in protecting children. She writes, “Research shows that the earlier minors receive a smartphone or tablet, the worse their mental health will fare into early adulthood.” If we want our own children, and those in our churches, to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually, we must keep them from scrolling themselves to death.

There are encouraging signs that our society is waking up to the danger of digital addiction. Here in Australia, phones are banned in public schools. And by the end of the year, a law will come into effect banning under-16s from having social media accounts. This all accords with Harrison’s bold proposal: “It’s time we age-restrict tablets, smartphones, and social media until adulthood.”

I hope that by the time my nieces are in their teens, giving a minor her own device will be considered as crazy as giving her cigarettes. If you want to help make this future a reality, start by reading Harrison’s article.