This is a recurring question that many parents ask themselves. While privacy and trust are important, the well-being and safety of our children are even more crucial. This is especially true during adolescence, a stage where dangers are pervasive and immaturity constantly exposes them to risks. My point of view: first, never give a cell phone before the age of 16. After that, it’s okay to check it sporadically, and as they earn our trust, do it less and less.

It seems unbelievable, but this is the mindset of many parents. While it often stems from good intentions or an effort to be more realistic and attuned to the modern world, normalizing alcohol consumption among minors is a significant parental irresponsibility. We must speak clearly to our children about alcohol: it is a poison that endangers their health and life. Even though society has normalized it, we must do everything possible to prevent our children from consuming it, and allowing them to do so at home should never be an excuse to justify it.

A common practice in many families is to allow their children to spend the night with friends or relatives, which unfortunately puts them at risk and is not advisable. Statistics indicate that the highest percentage of abuse cases occur in the family environment and with close friends, so we must completely avoid this practice, which includes school or sports trips. Recently, I saw a video in which a prosecutor from the United States made a warning to all parents about this danger, as the related cases she received were overwhelming. What do you think, should our children sleep at home, without exceptions?

I recently appeared on the Unicable program “Que Buena Hora” to talk about family values, specifically those we should instill in children from an early age—something I call “The Backpack of Values.” On this occasion, we discussed five fundamental values to instill in our children: Self-esteem: The love that is most lacking in society is self-love, and if it is not instilled from childhood, it becomes very difficult to achieve later on. Character: Life will be filled with adversities, and character allows children to face them better and become stronger through them. Discipline: We can achieve any dream if we are disciplined. Talent takes a backseat when there is discipline, which is the currency that success is paid for in advance. Respect: Respect is the key that opens any door in this world. When children learn to be respectful from their earliest years, it tends to be much easier and leads to better opportunities. Kindness: The value that is most lacking in the world. Teaching our children to be good, kind, and empathetic toward others will fill their hearts with joy and make them valuable people in the world. https://youtu.be/KIZ1VHoDS6M?si=iy-GV2yjO9zSfeNb

This is a situation that nearly all parents will face at some point, and it is essential to address it correctly, as it can have a devastating impact on our children's emotional health and social development. First, we must explain that the pornography industry is one of the most harmful to society, particularly to women, whom it degrades and often enslaves. Second, help them understand that it causes significant damage at the brain and self-esteem level, as it presents an unreal world with unrealistic situations, which can negatively condition how they approach their sexual lives in the future. Third, reflect with them on why pornography is so normalized and readily accessible. The reason is simple: the destruction of the individual and their character to turn them into a dopamine addict. It is crucial that we turn our children into positive examples for others and that, instead of following the herd and adopting this terrible habit, they reject it and encourage other young people to follow their example. Finally, we must do everything possible to prevent them from accessing such content, such as blocking those types of sites and restricting screen time and locations.