Many valuable resources for education, information, and connection with others exists through screen-based technology and, more and more, screens have become the most used source for information and communication. Even while there is value to be found through screens, it's important to be aware of the possible threats that can come from screens both in what is seen/sent and how much time is spent on them.

As a part of Pure & Simple Truth for Youth's mission to share the truth about whole-person identity, healthy relationships, and sexual integrity with youth, families, and communities, we have provided a list of internet and screen safety resources for families and those who care for youth. 
You can see this list on the Parent Resource Pack page.

For today's post, we'll focus in the following:
SafeGuarding Your Home & Family:

• How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
• 5 Tools: Keeping Kids Safe Online (video)

Internet Filtering Tools:

• Covenant Eyes - One of the most used filtering software tools and support for parents.
• Disney Circle - Great Option for controlling all devices with one app.
• Bark - Bark alerts parents only when it detects a potential threat – be it sexting, cyberbullying, or even suicidal thoughts.​
• Protect Young Eyes - Help Families, Schools, And Churches Create Safer Digital Environments.
• Protect Young Minds - Empowering parents, professionals and community leaders to protect young kids from pornography and promote healing from any sexual exploitation

Knowing how to set-up filters and parental codes is an important way to protect kids from getting into dangerous territory on the internet but the #1 most helpful thing parents and guardians can do to help equip kids to stay safe on their screens is to have frequent and honest conversations together.

Talk to  your  child about  why  internet safety  is important. Keep  your screens in a  family  area and discuss time  limits and restrictions for  screen time. Set parental controls and filters but also teach kids how to handle it when (not if) they come across inappropriate images or information or how to respond to inappropriate conversations from friends and strangers.

Remember the goal is to equip youth to use screens responsibly and with moderation. Have honest conversations together and remember our youth do need guidance and even limits and restrictions (even if they may not agree) as they learn how to navigate their way though the world of the internet.

See the full list of resources on the Parent Resource Pack page.

No matter how you define love, most agree that love - in it's truest sense - is a gift. 
Life begins with love, a gift grown from the most intimate expression of love. We receive love as children from our family as they care for us and nurture us. We receive love from those in our lives who care for us and "will the good for us" by teaching, coaching, and mentoring us. 

We are created with a natural need to receive love from others but we are also created with a natural instinct to give love to others.  The more love is poured into us from others, the greater our ability to, in turn, pour love out to others. 
 
Our ability to give love starts with a sincere desire to will the good for another - whether it be a family member, friend, mentor, or even a stranger or other forms of love. 

It becomes easier to give love to others when we have a good foundation of who we are in our whole sense - our talents, personalities, thoughts and feelings - but also with an awareness and a genuine respect and appreciation for who others are as whole persons.  

When we are able to fully receive love and fully give love, love becomes a beautiful giving and receiving of oneself to another. 

This week we're celebrating love with our "Love Is...V-Day Giving Day" appeal. 
We have met 12% of our annual goal of $40,000! Will you help us reach higher?
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​Pure & Simple Truth for Youth, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. We believe youth deserve the truth about love by learning about whole-person identity, healthy relationships and sexual integrity. Help us bring this message to youth, families and communities and partner with us today!

In our Truth for Youth retreats with middle school and high school students, we share the truth about whole-person identity, healthy relationships, and sexual integrity.

With each of those topics, we talk about love - love for who they are, love for others, and what love and sex have to do with each other (or not). 
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We use the wise and simple words of Thomas Aquinas (Catholic theologian and philosopher of the 1200's) to introduce what love is: 

To love is to will the good of the other.

To love means you want all that is "good" for someone else. We, humans, are created with an innate desire and need to give good to others. This willing the good love is seen in families who care for each other by providing for their physical needs of food, water, shelter and comfort.

​Love is actualized when strangers step out and help someone in need to bring something good to their life.

This love is seen in friends who support each other with encouraging words and listening ears.

Couples love each other truly when they will the good for each other by respecting each other's whole-person, including their emotional and physical needs, even putting their own needs or desires aside for the good of the other. 

Where do you see this "willing the good for the other" love in your life?

This week we're celebrating love with our "Love Is...V-Day Giving Day" appeal.
​Pure & Simple Truth for Youth, Inc. believes youth deserve the truth about love by learning about whole-person identity, healthy relationships and sexual integrity. Help us bring this message to youth, families and communities and partner with us today!