Dear child, the world is in your hands and so is your future

Janat Yahaya Naggolola – Parenting Coach

Assalam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

My dear child,

There is a moment in every parent’s life when they realise the world has entered their home quietly, softly, and powerfully, all through a small device that sits calmly in the palm of your hand.

I remember the day I first gave you a phone. It was not a gift for entertainment. It was a tool for safety, responsibility, and connection. I wanted to reach you when I was away, and I wanted you to reach me whenever you needed reassurance. It felt responsible. It felt necessary. It felt like the correct thing to do.

As days passed, I began to notice something I had not prepared for. The phone that was meant to protect you began to influence you. Your screen time increased, your focus slowly drifted, and your emotional space widened into areas I could not always see.

One day, I came across messages that made me pause, not because I doubted your goodness, but because I realised how easily the digital world can pull a young heart into situations it is not yet prepared for. Conversations with peers, emotional exchanges, curiosity that felt exciting to you but concerning to me, all happening quietly behind the gentle glow of the screen.

In that moment, what I felt was a mixture of concern, responsibility, and deep reflection. Not anger. Not disappointment. What settled in my heart was the realisation that you are growing in a world where the digital space is not optional. It is woven into your identity, your learning process, your friendships, and your communication. The challenge is not the phone itself. The challenge is guiding you to navigate it with clarity, dignity, maturity, and faith.

So instead of reacting with fear, I chose to approach this moment with understanding and leadership. You deserve guidance that elevates you, not instructions that silence you. Most importantly, you deserve a framework that supports you in making responsible decisions long after my voice is not beside you.

My child, in this era, the most important curriculum you must master is not only academics. It is the curriculum of digital responsibility. A curriculum that brings together Islamic values, emotional intelligence, self regulation, and disciplined independence. And this curriculum begins with your heart.

Allah reminds us in the Qur’an that the hearing, the sight, and the heart will all be questioned. This means that everything you watch, everything you listen to, and every conversation you engage in becomes part of your spiritual record. The phone does not determine your actions. Your heart does. Before you open any application or reply to any message, pause for a moment and ask yourself one important question. “Does this benefit my heart, my future, and my values,” and if the answer is no, you have the strength to walk away. Your worth is far greater than a moment of curiosity or emotional excitement.

The companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) chose their friends carefully because they understood the influence of companionship. In the digital space, the people you follow, the content you consume, and the individuals you chat with become your digital companions. Choose them with purpose. Choose those who add value, not those who take you into emotional spaces you are not ready for.

Above all, my child, remember that meaningful relationships are not built behind a screen. They are built through sincerity, empathy, respect, and presence. Social media may show smiles yet hide burdens. It may offer attention but not loyalty. It may create excitement but hide consequences. Value real moments. Value real people. Value real conversations. Value real experiences.

There will be clear rules because structure is part of maturity. Phones will stay out of private spaces. Screens will go off at certain times. Conversations with the opposite gender will only occur for academic or group purposes. Transparency will be expected. Discipline will be consistent. These rules exist not because you are bad, but because you are incredibly valuable.

My child, this letter is not a warning. It is a reminder of who you truly are. A young person with intelligence, purpose, sensitivity, potential, and a heart worthy of the highest guidance. You belong to a generation that will lead the world digitally, and I want you to lead with faith, wisdom, confidence, and self respect.

So, before you scroll again, pause for a moment and whisper a simple prayer.

“O Allah, guide my eyes, my words, my choices, and make my use of technology a source of good for me.”

The world may be in your hands, but your future is in your intentions. And I believe that with the right guidance, you will rise with strength, clarity, and beauty.

PS I am Janat Yahaya Naggolola, a Certified Parenting Coach and Character Development Expert.

I help parents and young people build character, leadership, and emotional wellbeing through Islamic principles and practical developmental strategies.

Together, we can nurture a generation that flourishes both online and offline with integrity, purpose, and grace.

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