WE know of a true story about a 4-year-old boy who, three years ago, was left in the house with a 9-year-old girl. When the boy?s mother arrived an hour later, she found the two kids in the bathroom playing with each other?s private parts.

Apparently, the girl had learned about such activities online and was now passing on the information to the boy. In this day and age, children absorb many things from the wonders of modern technology via the Internet, cell phones or cable TV.

When unguided and unsupervised, children absorb whatever they?re exposed to. This affects them mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Cause for concern

For example, the young boy liked showing his genitals to others. He was also caught touching his younger sister?s sensitive parts. This was obviously cause for concern.

Here are ways by which parents can protect their children from pollution of the mind, heart and being. If parents truly love their kids, they will fulfill their role as guardians and protectors:

1. Don?t let young kids go on the Internet merely to satisfy their curiosity or just to keep them engaged. The Net is full of toxic pollutants. Just as you wouldn?t bring a child into a jungle full of wild animals and leave him there, a responsible parent will not leave a young child in cyberspace to while the time away.

2. Don?t gift young kids with cell phones that can prove to be a security risk. With these gadgets, young girls can be pursued by boys without their parents? knowledge. If you want to protect your kids from unnecessary heartbreak, keep those mobile phones away!

3. Cable TV is neither a babysitter nor a caregiver. It could introduce children to weird ideas, violence, sex, perverted behavior and insane personalities. So, parents, beware!