Up until around 1960, many people’s lives were primarily shaped by the culture around them. In many ways, that was beneficial because culture was largely defined by the family, the neighborhood, schools, and the church. These institutions reinforced shared values, moral responsibility, and a sense of community. Much of American culture at that time was rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, which emphasized virtues such as honesty, self-discipline, respect, and service to others. While no era was perfect, there was generally a stronger connection between moral formation and everyday life.

Today, however, the primary influences shaping people’s thinking and behavior are often movies, television, social media, and online entertainment. Technology has transformed the way people communicate, learn, and spend their time. The famous filmmaker George Lucas once observed that “the influence of the church, which used to be all-powerful, has been usurped by film.” His statement seems even more relevant now in an age dominated not only by film, but by smartphones, streaming platforms, and social media algorithms that compete constantly for people’s attention.

Back in March of this year, both Meta (Facebook) and YouTube were accused and found guilty in court for having design features intended to addict young people to their platforms. Although they faced multi-billion-dollar judgments, little appears to have changed in the way these platforms operate. Many parents are understandably concerned about the amount of time children and teenagers spend online and about the content and influences they are exposed to daily.

Though my own children are now grown, I often wonder how parents today are navigating the challenge of raising children in an age where young people seem constantly absorbed in their smartphones. Many children now spend more time interacting with screens than engaging in face-to-face conversations, reading books, or participating in family activities. This shift raises important questions about attention spans, emotional development, and the formation of values and character.

I was recently reading Dennis Prager’s book, If There Is No God, where he makes several insightful observations about raising sons and daughters. Prager argues that many parents place too little emphasis on goodness and character development. For years, he has asked parents on his radio program to ask their children a simple question: “What do you think I want most for your life: happiness, success, to be smart, or to be good and have character?”

According to Prager, parents are often surprised by their children’s responses. Rarely do children answer, “to be good” or “to have character.” Instead, they tend to believe their parents value success, intelligence, achievement, and status above all else. From an early age, many children come to believe they will receive the most approval from both their parents and society for accomplishments that may have little connection to moral character.

Ironically, genuine success is often the natural by-product of strong character. People who possess integrity, diligence, self-discipline, humility, and perseverance are far more likely to flourish in life and build meaningful relationships. Wise parents understand that while academic achievement and professional success are important, character is the foundation upon which a truly fulfilling life is built. In a culture increasingly dominated by technology and entertainment, perhaps one of the greatest responsibilities parents have is to intentionally teach and model the values that will guide their children long after the screens are turned off.

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.