The Illusion of Innocence – A Message for Parents

 Many parents live with the comforting belief that their children are safe, innocent, and far from the destructive grip of the world and technology. They assume, “My child would never do such things.” But in truth, this is not always the case. Today’s world is changing fast — and hiding behind this false comfort can be dangerous.

Some parents think the best way to protect their children is by scaring them. “Don’t eat chops, you’ll go bald,” or “If I see you with a phone, I’ll beat you.” These methods don’t protect the child — they simply teach the child to lie, to hide, and to explore things secretly. I have personally seen this in one of my relatives. The mother proudly says, “My son is innocent.” Yes, he may be — but he is also immature. He doesn’t even know the difference between right and wrong. That is not innocence — that is lack of guidance.

Parents need to mature their children, not just protect them. They should show what is wrong and explain why it’s wrong. And more importantly, they must show that they trust their child. If someone accuses your child of doing something wrong, and you say — in front of your child — “I believe in my child. He can’t do this,” it creates a powerful feeling of guilt and responsibility in the child’s heart. That silent guilt teaches more than a hundred warnings.

It’s true, devices like phones can be harmful — but not always. If your child is begging for a phone, don’t just say no. Try to understand why. If it’s only for games and wasting time, then the child is not ready. But if the child wants it to learn, to create, to grow — then give it, with guidance. Let the child rise, not hide.

So dear parents, raise your child with trust, conversation, and clarity — not with fear and blind protection. Innocence is not enough; maturity is what protects your child in a dangerous world.