“I told Lindsey she shouldn’t put those pictures on her page, Mom. But she didn’t see anything wrong with posting pictures of herself in her new swimsuit,” Amy said. “She said there’s no difference in wearing a swimsuit to the beach and wearing one on her Facebook page.”

“But she’s doing more than just wearing a swimsuit in these pictures, Amy. She’s modeling it provocatively. And now these pictures are permanently in the public domain for anyone to see, including college admissions offices, prospective employers, and strangers.”

“I just wish Lindsey had thought about that,” replied Amy.

“That’s why we need to pray for wisdom,” her mom said. “It’s so easy to act before we think, especially on the Internet.”

As believers our behavior is constantly under inspection. With the advent of the Internet and the various websites where we can post personal information with the click of a mouse, millions of people have the ability to zoom in on our conduct and character. If your teen or your family has an online presence, you are opening your life up to closer scrutiny by others.

First Peter 3:2 says that when people observe our respectful behavior they can be drawn to the Savior we serve. Conversely, our unchecked behavior can cause others to stumble (Rom. 14:21). Consider the image you present of yourself through your blog or personal page, and help your children wisely assess the information they release to the public. Pray for godly wisdom to help your family enjoy the benefits of the Internet with safety and integrity.