Guarding young minds from hidden dangers

Janat Yahaya Naggolola – Parenting Coach

Assalam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Not everything that sparkles in a child’s eyes is safe for their heart and mind. Some attractions carry subtle poisons that shape their thinking long before they can even spell the word “influence.”

I once walked into a store with my daughters, each of them excited and eager to explore. Their eyes darted from one shelf to another, marvelling at the colourful items on display. One particular object stood out, cleverly packaged, beautifully designed, and instantly appealing to young minds. Yet, beneath its charm lay a disturbing reality. This was no innocent plaything. It was a persuasive tool disguised as a harmless toy, yet shaped like something that, in the adult world, was a known toxicant.

I could almost see how a child, holding it day after day, could become desensitized to its danger, how something harmful could, over time, feel normal and acceptable.

It reminded me that influence often wears a mask, and the earlier it enters a child’s life, the deeper it takes root.

Islam is clear about guarding the fitrah, the natural, pure state of a child from anything that corrupts the heart or mind.

The Prophet Muhammad taught that every child is born upon this natural state, but their surroundings shape them into what they will become. Parents are entrusted as the first line of defense, responsible for filtering what enters their children’s environment and ensuring their influences align with values of faith, purity, and goodness.

As parents, our role is not simply to provide, but to protect. In moments like these, the present parent doesn’t just see the “fun” in an object, they see the message it carries, the values it shapes, and the worldview it silently builds.

This is where being a present parent becomes a shield, a filter, and a guide. The PRESENT PARENT book equips you with the mindset and tools to notice such subtle dangers, to intervene wisely, and to raise children whose values remain anchored despite the waves of influence around them.

Order your copy of the PRESENT PARENT book today and learn how to guard your child’s heart and mind: +256772858289.