Youth Culture Window | The Source4Parents

When Our Kids’ Sleep Suffers…

The Pandemic is affecting sleep, sleep is effecting mental health... and the pieces scatter from there. So what can...

By David R. Smith 0 Comments

Back to School?

August 16, 2020 0 Comments

Without a doubt, there are a ton of challenges for parents, educators, and officials to consider between now and...

Pandemic: Obstacle or Opportunity?

July 12, 2020 0 Comments

As the Coronavirus pandemic begins to fade – oh, it’s not fading? – we have a better understanding of...

The Future of Movies

June 18, 2020 0 Comments

If 2020 were playing by the rules, you’d be reading our annual movie preview articles right now. Instead, theaters...

The Motivation for Muscles

May 31, 2020 0 Comments

What is the motivation for teens working out like crazy? Olympic aspirations? Improved health? Long life? For many the...

Screen Use Goes Into Overdrive

May 10, 2020 0 Comments

American families are coping with the pandemic by "binge watching" television series with an average of 8 hours a...

Is America Ready to Hit the Club?

April 26, 2020 0 Comments

True, concerts have come to a screeching halt due to the current pandemic, but even though there are no...

Making Lemonade Out of a Pandemic

April 12, 2020 0 Comments

Nobody likes lemons by themselves; they’re just too bitter. But almost everyone loves the sweet and refreshing taste of...

Digital Entertainment in the Apocalypse

March 29, 2020 0 Comments

Do you have any idea how much MORE time young people are spending on screens in just the last...

The Deteriorating Mental Health of Today’s Kids

March 1, 2020 0 Comments

Researches have been noticing even “more evidence” in the link between screen time, social media and poor mental health...

High Stress in Today’s Schools

February 16, 2020 0 Comments

New research coming out of the University of Missouri claims that 94% of middle school teachers experience high levels...

I Heard a Justin Bieber Song in Church

January 25, 2020 0 Comments

“We were at church this weekend and they played a Justin Bieber song. Is it OK to play secular...

The Empty Promises of Porn

January 12, 2020 0 Comments

It may sound crazy, but a generation of kids now use internet porn as a way to learn about...

The No. 1 Hits of 2019

December 22, 2019 0 Comments

2019 was music by the numbers. Fifteen different songs reached the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. One...

Peace or Pandemonium?

December 15, 2019 0 Comments

If one thing has been proven in the 21st Century, it’s that social media is a black hole of time,...

Exactly How Many Hours Are Teens on Their Screens?

November 10, 2019 0 Comments

The 2019 numbers are in. Common Sense Media just released their newest study revealing exactly how much entertainment media...

Gen Z’s Favorite Personalities

October 25, 2019 0 Comments

A couple of times each year, the global investment firm and financial services provider known as Piper Jaffray releases...

Varsity Video Gamers

October 12, 2019 0 Comments

Gen Z’s love of video games has finally collided with their school spirit and birthed the very first e-sports...

Mom, is Kanye a Christian?

September 29, 2019 0 Comments

It's a tough question to answer. One moment Kanye is debuting his newest twisted rhymes at the Pornhub awards,...

The High Price of Youth Sports

September 21, 2019 0 Comments

With so many varying reports, it’s easy to see why parents might be confused about what to do with...

Sexuality and Song Sales

September 7, 2019 0 Comments

Every so often, I hear a song that makes me think, “Yeah…I probably should at least be familiar with...

Good Boys

August 25, 2019 0 Comments

On Friday, August 16th, a movie was released that blurs multiple lines of morality and sensibility. Good Boys follows...

Taking a Break from Tech

August 11, 2019 0 Comments

In late June, a survey was released that claimed 93% of 11- to 16-year-olds who’d gone to an overnight...

Teen Vogue’s Take on Sex Work

July 8, 2019 0 Comments

"Legitimized prostitution," "How to get an abortion if you're a teen," "How to use sex magic to manifest your...

The Summer Blockbusters of 2019 (Part Two)

June 23, 2019 0 Comments

The 2019 summer box office has already drawn out millions of young film fans, especially for the flicks we...

Oh, Snap!

June 9, 2019 0 Comments

Snapchat users – teens included – have yet another sexual minefield to navigate on one of their favorite apps....

Helps and Hindrances for Teen Sleep

May 26, 2019 0 Comments

As summer approaches, every high school senior is anticipating a well-deserved break from a life spent in school. Most...

The Soaring Costs of College

May 10, 2019 0 Comments

As summer approaches, every high school senior is anticipating a well-deserved break from a life spent in school. Most...

Meet Billie Eilish

April 26, 2019 0 Comments

She’s part Lady Gaga, part Taylor Swift, with just a dash of P!nk… and she’s all teenagers can talk...

The Summer Blockbusters of 2019 (Part One)

April 12, 2019 0 Comments

The 2019 summer box office is going to be one of the busiest movie seasons since The Source for...

What Happened to Teen Evangelism?

March 16, 2019 0 Comments

Youth leaders and parents are uniquely poised to help young people develop biblical convictions on this matter, overcome any...

The Forecast is Cloudy

March 3, 2019 0 Comments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use amongst young people increased last year by...

God on the Rocks

February 15, 2019 0 Comments

The show, Miracle Workers, and the trailer for the series provides a pretty accurate glimpse of what to expect. Let’s...

The High Risks and Low Rewards of Social Media Use

February 1, 2019 0 Comments

A new study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion uncovered what may be a two-pronged problem with social...

Are Screens the Problem?

January 18, 2019 0 Comments

It’s a new year, and for millions of high school seniors, it’s time to finalize college preparations. That usually...

College Schedule: Anxiety 101, Depression 201, and Panic Attack Lab

January 4, 2019 0 Comments

It’s a new year, and for millions of high school seniors, it’s time to finalize college preparations. That usually...

The No. 1 Songs of 2018

December 15, 2018 0 Comments

The top-ranked songs of 2018 offered teenagers a wide variety of messages this year. So, what did they actually...

Fatal Photography

December 2, 2018 0 Comments

Young people are going to extreme lengths to get that perfect selfie... even if it's the last thing they...

Sleep Loss…and Costs

November 25, 2018 0 Comments

The Real Price of Sleep Deprivation in Kids' LivesTeens aren’t getting enough sleep, not by a long shot. The...

Party for One

November 10, 2018 0 Comments

The Age of MeIn a world where self-esteem among teenagers is at an all time low and where young...

Netflix’s Newest Witch

November 4, 2018 0 Comments

The Content Behind “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” Sabrina Spellman has a choice to make. Option A is to...

The Ugly Side of Instagram

October 21, 2018 0 Comments

No Filters Can Fix this Social Media MessInstagram built its empire on the ability to add filters to pictures....

The Wisdom of Teen Vogue

October 5, 2018 0 Comments

Do you know what your daughter is reading?Need to learn how to French Kiss? Want to know what Halsey...

When Media Changes So Do Kids

September 22, 2018 0 Comments

Understanding the Influence of Social Media on Today's TeensOnce upon a time, in 1981, music moved from radio to...

The Extinction of Reading

September 7, 2018 0 Comments

Middle school, high school, and college campuses have been quiet for the last three months. But now that students...

My Precious!

August 26, 2018 0 Comments

Five years ago, Millennials surprised many by saying they would rather go without a car than a smartphone. In 2018,...

The Seasons of Dangerous Driving

July 27, 2018 0 Comments

It’s summer, and that means backyard BBQs, visits to the beach, and box office blockbusters. Unfortunately, summer also means an...

College Prep

July 14, 2018 0 Comments

We’re in the second half of summer and several million teenagers are just weeks away from the biggest change...

Preoccupied Parents

June 29, 2018 0 Comments

Four kids crammed on the youth room couch each looking at their own phone. A young boy is consumed...

Blockbusters of 2018 (Part 2)

June 16, 2018 0 Comments

Terrorists. A Ghost. More terrorists. Corrupt governmental leaders. And still more terrorists. Yep, the second half of 2018’s summer...

Teens On Edge

June 1, 2018 0 Comments

Heart palpitations. Shortness of breath. Trouble sleeping. Sounds like the complaints of a 70-year-old to his doctor. Instead, these...

Body Shaming

May 19, 2018 0 Comments

A new study has revealed “shocking” data: girls don’t respond well to being called “fat.” Granted, those are my words, but that’s essentially...

Self-Cyberbullying

May 6, 2018 0 Comments

“your face is why filters were invented.” “are you jabba the gutt?” “i never date sluts like you.” Ahh…just another...

Blockbusters of 2018 (Part 1)

April 19, 2018 0 Comments

Superheroes that are role models, and superheroes that are anything but. Thieves from outer space, and thieves from New...

More Risks for Young Drivers

April 6, 2018 0 Comments

I want a motorcycle. Badly. My wife knows this. It’s an ongoing argument – I mean discussion – in my...

Digital Life by the Minute

March 24, 2018 0 Comments

How long would it take you to listen to 1.5 million songs on Spotify? Or post 350,000 tweets on...

“Safer” Smoking

March 19, 2018 0 Comments

Vaping – the act of inhaling vapor from e-liquid through a personal vaporizer – has always been touted as “safer” than...

Adult Entertainment in Teens’ Lives

February 23, 2018 0 Comments

These days, porn seems to dominate the headlines. Our president is alleged to have had an affair with a porn...

Cracking Cardi B

January 26, 2018 0 Comments

Fresh off her first worldwide hit and currently featured on three songs inside Billboard’s Top Ten (five if you...

“Excuse Me; May I Have Your Attention?”

January 11, 2018 0 Comments

“In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Umm…Britney could you put your iPhone away? As I was saying, Columbus...

“Hit Play!”

December 30, 2017 0 Comments

Between wildly popular titles like Stranger Things and Fuller House on streaming services, and a near endless number of YouTube clips on the...

The Biggest Hits of 2017

December 15, 2017 0 Comments

Glorification of violence, drugs and alcohol, vengeance, arrogance, degradation of females… and not one shred of regard for the...

What Do You Know About Me?

December 8, 2017 0 Comments

In bed, I am: Aggressive Passive A mix between aggressive and passive Passive aggressiveThat’s just one of the questions from...

Tough Month for Social Media

November 15, 2017 0 Comments

It’s quite likely that executives at some of the most influential social media sites – Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram...

rockstar

November 3, 2017 0 Comments

Gun violence. Prescription pill abuse. Narcotic and alcohol dependence. Graphic references to sex positions with females (referred to as...

Struggling with Self

October 21, 2017 0 Comments

A recent article from the NY Times asks the question, “Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe...

Making Sense of the Madness

October 7, 2017 0 Comments

A couple of devastating hurricanes. Escalating racial tensions. The death of an international pornographer. And a mass shooting. Endless...

The Lasting Effects of Friends

September 25, 2017 0 Comments

Friends. They hover around your kid several hours each day at school, on sports teams, and through other adolescent...

A Life-Saving Song?

September 8, 2017 0 Comments

As of this writing, Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart is filled with some of the worst, most profane, and sexually vile...

The Ever-Increasing Impact of Social Media

August 26, 2017 0 Comments

Social media has completely altered the way young people connect with their friends, and even to their world. But...

Whispering Thoughts of Suicide

August 13, 2017 0 Comments

The smartphones kids carry around in their pockets are powerful devices. They can help students study, access helpful resources,...

Dangerous Ties

July 27, 2017 0 Comments

Depression. Isolation. Self-injury. Some adults dismiss these adolescent experiences as nothing more than a “phase” kids endure. But what...

Sexy Songs of Summer

July 14, 2017 0 Comments

Today’s musical artists will do almost anything to own the coveted “song of the summer.” In recent years the...

Summertime Habits

July 3, 2017 0 Comments

Summer has definitely arrived. Everybody’s getting a tan. Blockbusters are playing at the local theater. And the whole world is...

The Blockbusters of 2017 (Part 2)

June 14, 2017 0 Comments

In the second half of summer, humans will battle robots, cyborg birds, and genetically enhanced apes at the local...

Teens and Adult Beverages

June 2, 2017 0 Comments

Alcohol has left its mark on teenagers from every generation including this one: legal troubles to scars to tombstones....

Digital Guardians

May 19, 2017 0 Comments

Putting a camera on a cell phone has been as world-changing as putting a man on the moon. After...

Hey Mom and Dad, Can You Put Your Phone Down?

May 7, 2017 0 Comments

Most American adults will agree that today’s kids are obsessed with their smartphones. From apps, to texts, to viral...

The Blockbusters of 2017 (Part 1)

April 21, 2017 0 Comments

Aliens, pirates, mummies, bikini babes…and more aliens! That’s just a few of the characters making an appearance at theaters...

Alone

April 7, 2017 0 Comments

He didn’t have any friends. Literally, zero. So last week, he tried to impress a few potential buddies through...

Danger in the Front Seat

March 24, 2017 0 Comments

The number of fatal automobile accidents involving teen drivers has risen drastically in the past 5 years, 14,000 in all....

Literature for Young Ladies

March 3, 2017 0 Comments

“What should I wear?” “Who should I date?” “How far can I go with my boyfriend?” When girls want...

Millennials, Monogamy & Marriage

February 16, 2017 0 Comments

Earlier today, I had lunch with a young man from my church that had just ended a long relationship...

Less Likely To Leave the Nest

February 1, 2017 0 Comments

It’s the American dream! Grow up, go to the right school, graduate… and move into Mom’s basement!Okay… maybe that last...

Concussion Discussion

January 20, 2017 0 Comments

Yes, we’re nearing the end of this year’s football season, but the debate about head injuries and concussions is...

SEND NUDES

January 6, 2017 0 Comments

Spilled potato chips. A freshly baked pepperoni pizza. Some wiggly Chinese noodles. Are these the cravings of some pregnant...

The No. 1 Songs of 2016

December 16, 2016 0 Comments

Break ups and hook ups. Drugs and alcohol. Musical legends and unknown newbies. 2016’s most popular songs were marked...

Who Needs Truth?

December 2, 2016 0 Comments

For the past 13 years, the experts at Oxford Dictionary have anointed one word as the “Word of the...

Today’s College Experience

November 17, 2016 0 Comments

In August, anxious parents packed up their high school graduates and nervously shipped them off to colleges around the...

Tis the Season for Time Together

November 4, 2016 0 Comments

This holiday season, millions of teens will gather with their families around a turkey. And most of them will...

Broccoli…On the Side?

October 20, 2016 0 Comments

No, they’re not audio files from a porn video. Nor are they old clips from interviews with Donald Trump....

Battling Teen Porn Addiction

October 7, 2016 0 Comments

On a daily basis, millions of teenagers are bombarded by graphic and explicit images through online images and videos....

The Fate of Teen Drinkers

September 23, 2016 0 Comments

When the University of Houston’s Dr. Dipali Rinker released the findings from her research on college students and their...

I Don’t Want My MTV

September 6, 2016 0 Comments

Three decades ago Madonna appeared on MTV in a wedding dress, writhing on the floor, seductively singing Like a Virgin at...

The Good Place

August 27, 2016 0 Comments

Television has had its fair share of faith-themed programming over the years. CBS ran Touched by an Angel…and later Angel From...

Kids in the Mist

August 11, 2016 0 Comments

Chances are good you’ve seen a group of young people with misty clouds billowing around their heads. Sitting in...

Living in the Online Village

July 28, 2016 0 Comments

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, etc. Everyone has an opinion about the influence these social media giants have on teens....

The Resurgence of Demi Lovato

July 8, 2016 0 Comments

Demi Lovato’s comeback is undeniable. Recently, she’s released her sixth album, sang at the World Series, and gave a...

Contemplating College

June 24, 2016 0 Comments

Acceptance letters have been received. Yearbooks have been signed. Tasseled caps have been tossed into the air. The next...

“Can I Have a Phone?”

June 8, 2016 0 Comments

Parents with kids understand the dilemma smartphones bring. On one hand, getting kids a mobile device makes family life...

The Not-So-Hidden Effects of Porn

May 20, 2016 0 Comments

Porn is a $97 billion-per-year enterprise. That equates to millions upon millions of users worldwide, many of them being...

Summer at the Movie (Part 2)

May 6, 2016 0 Comments

Ghosts. Spies. Space odysseys. A team of misfit super villains masquerading as heroes. Some really raunchy animated sausages. Yep,...

Summer at the Movies (Part 1)

April 23, 2016 0 Comments

A break up in the Avengers? A house full of scantily-clad sorority girls? Another alien invasion? Some ninja turtles,...

Sensuality and Vulgarity Without Much Sobriety

April 8, 2016 0 Comments

The songs in this week’s Top 10 offer lots of diversity: Americans and foreigners, pop and electronic and hip...

Selfies, Sexting, and Censorship

March 25, 2016 0 Comments

Pose. Snap. Hastily delete. Re-pose. Re-snap. Save. Add filter. Add another filter. Upload/Tweet/Send. Enjoy all the likes, retweets, shares,...

The Growing Popularity of Death

March 11, 2016 0 Comments

Six days ago, our community in Central Florida was rocked when a middle school student took his life. Just...

Teens’ Problems With Social Media

February 26, 2016 0 Comments

Early last week, the body of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell was discovered 80 miles from her home in Virginia. She lost her...

The Damage of Porn

February 12, 2016 0 Comments

Is porn a big deal?If entertainment media is our moral barometer, then the answer is, “No.” Consider the viral preview for...

Sexpectations

January 20, 2016 0 Comments

WARNING: The following article references elicit sexual imagery from today's youth culture and might be offensive. If you are offended......

Will You Be My Friend?

January 16, 2016 0 Comments

Today’s teenagers have no shortage of influencers; celebrities, media, parents, technology, and a host of others vie for the...

Affirm Me

January 2, 2016 0 Comments

What does a girl do when she needs encouragement? She could seek the validation of a family member. She...

Mature Messages in Today’s Music

December 19, 2015 0 Comments

Revenge. Addictions. Death. No doubt about it, some of this year’s top-ranked songs definitely had a raw edge.Fortunately, we’ve got...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

December 4, 2015 0 Comments

“It’s a trap!”It’s inescapable. If you live in America you can’t escape its impression. It’s no longer just for...

New Problems With Sex

November 20, 2015 0 Comments

Once upon a time, humans came in two varieties: male and female. Even with limited sexual options, problems ensued. But...

Screen Addicts

November 5, 2015 0 Comments

Hey mom and dad, which do you think is greater: the number of hours in your typical work day...

Young Drinkers

October 24, 2015 0 Comments

We know that many teens are exposed to alcohol, some more than others. We also know many teens give...

Big Hair. Big Hits. And Big Problems?

October 11, 2015 0 Comments

Born in Canada of Ethiopian descent, Abel Tesfaye is a 25-year-old musician who’s currently taking the world by storm....

Playing for the Giant Check

September 27, 2015 0 Comments

“At Draft Kings we play for glory, for bragging rights, for fantasy football supremacy. But we also play for...

Teens and Weed

September 18, 2015 0 Comments

Historically speaking, teens have been smoking weed since our species wore nothing but a loin cloth. Today’s younger generation...

Sex, Weed and MTV

August 31, 2015 0 Comments

The MTV Video Music Awards (the VMAs) always provide a sobering glimpse into the world of pop culture embraced...

The Uphill Battle of Being a Girl

August 11, 2015 0 Comments

Guys only have to shave their faces; girls must shave everywhere. Guys are labeled “studs” for sleeping around; girls...

Smoke Screens

July 24, 2015 0 Comments

Two reports released within one week of each other in July addressed marijuana use by teens. One study claimed...

Cool for the Summer

July 10, 2015 0 Comments

An ex-Disney star releasing a sexually explicit song: surprising… or expected?Demi Lovato’s music has always been fun and family-friendly....

2015’s Summer Blockbusters (PART 2)

June 24, 2015 0 Comments

More good guys. Lots of bad guys. Even some really naked guys. Yep, 2015’s summer flicks still have a lot in...

Transformation of Tech

June 12, 2015 0 Comments

Teens have a history of being the early adopters of most new tech. If you’ve got a question about...

Teen Sex Trends

May 28, 2015 0 Comments

“Today’s teens are having more sex than ever!” “They’re not practicing safe sex.” “Their irresponsibility is leading to more...

Ranking Social Media Sites

May 14, 2015 0 Comments

Some teens like to keep up with their friends on Facebook. Some like to shoot short clips for Vine....

Reaching Kids Experiencing Same Sex Attraction

May 1, 2015 0 Comments

“We are confident in our theology concerning sexuality. We are equally confident that how we’ve traditionally approached sexuality, and...

2015’s Summer Blockbusters (PART 1)

April 17, 2015 0 Comments

Based on this summer’s movie lineup, it appears as though every major studio in Hollywood is out to destroy...

Making Math Add Up

April 3, 2015 0 Comments

Two trains leave New York at the same time. Train A is traveling west at 44 kilometers per hour...

Teens and Mobile Tech

March 19, 2015 0 Comments

We’ve all seen kids staring at their cell phone screens banging out text messages or kids connected to tablets...

The Importance of Mom and Dad

March 6, 2015 0 Comments

Today’s teens have a long list of influencers standing in line to leave their mark on young lives: media,...

New Trends for Selfies

February 21, 2015 0 Comments

You may know what a selfie is, but what about a “wealthie”? And do you know the tremendous importance...

“Mom, Why Do People Like ‘50 Shades of Grey’?”

February 8, 2015 0 Comments

You’re watching your favorite TV show as a family, and when you walk into the kitchen to refill your...

Teens Driving Under the Influence

January 23, 2015 0 Comments

Many teens drive under enormous amounts of distraction – loud music, friends, and texting. But new reports claim that half...

Teens Losing Zzzs

January 8, 2015 0 Comments

It’s 2015, and that means it’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Teens who are behind in school work will...

The #1 Hits of 2014

December 12, 2014 0 Comments

This year’s top music was a fairly balanced mix of rap, hip hop, and pop…with a little rock-n-roll thrown...

Cyber Gossip

December 5, 2014 0 Comments

“next time she talks to my man, shes gonna get her b**ch a** beat!”“omg danielle wore the same shirt...

Image Maintenance

November 20, 2014 0 Comments

It’s no secret that today’s girls are bombarded with images and messages about their physique and appearance. From TV...

Dangerous Dating

November 8, 2014 0 Comments

Shoshana Roberts, an aspiring actress, recently captured the attention of the nation when she posted an online video documenting the...

Youth and Midterm Elections

October 24, 2014 0 Comments

Two years ago on November 6, 2012, Facebook and Twitter feeds exploded with Instagram pics of “I Voted” stickers...

The “New Norm” for Teenage Sexuality

October 11, 2014 0 Comments

We’ve been hearing a lot of sexting “hype” over the last decade.“It’s a huge problem with today’s teenagers!”“It’s not...

Bottoms at the Top

September 26, 2014 0 Comments

One of the top songs atop this week’s chart is titled Booty. No, it’s not about pirate treasure or spoils...

The Battle Over the Bed… That Began Last Night

September 12, 2014 0 Comments

“Get up! I’m not telling you again! Get out of bed right now!” If your mornings start off with this...

The Ladies of the 2014 MTV VMAs

August 25, 2014 0 Comments

This year’s MTV Video Music Awards (the VMAs) departed from its normal gimmicks to show us something young people...

The Clutches of Controlled Substances

August 15, 2014 0 Comments

“What are those kids on?”It’s a question that adults often ask – in frustration – about teenagers. But, they shouldn’t ask...

Leave It to Beaver Has Left (For Good?)

August 1, 2014 0 Comments

Once upon a time, dad went to work, mom stayed home to vacuum (in high heels and pearls, of...

From Sexting to Sex

July 18, 2014 0 Comments

We can’t necessarily explain it, but all of us notice it. 6th grade boys avoid girls like the plague…but...

Teens Delay Driving

July 3, 2014 0 Comments

Riding with friends. Top down. Radio blasting. That’s the fantasy of every kid who’s on the brink of turning...

Wiggle

June 13, 2014 0 Comments

In Jason Derulo’s latest song Wiggle, which features Snoop Dogg, he repeats the same question: how do you fit all that...

The 2014 Summer Movie Lineup – PART TWO

May 30, 2014 0 Comments

It’s already been a whirlwind summer at the box office. Millions of viewers have been entertained…and billions of dollars...

Image Is (Still) Everything

May 16, 2014 0 Comments

Some teens take them on a date. Others take them to get a date. Some teens snap them while...

Crude Just Cracked the Top 10

May 2, 2014 0 Comments

“Happy” is still in the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100, which I presume makes Pharrell Williams really…umm…happy. But...

The 2014 Summer Movie Lineup – PART ONE

April 19, 2014 0 Comments

This year’s summer movie lineup has something for everyone: sequels & originals, action & comedy, science fiction & Greek...

Mary Jane is Becoming a Popular Girl (Again)

April 4, 2014 0 Comments

Just last night, “Hunter” texted me before youth group: Don’t mention I said anything but…..can u speak on why it’s...

Apps Costing More Than Just Money

March 21, 2014 0 Comments

The tech world offers smartphone users access to more than one million apps designed for communication, education, entertainment, and...

Sexy Songs

March 7, 2014 0 Comments

The other day, I ran across some material describing sexual positions, some racy descriptions of the female anatomy, and...

Mickey Mouse Joins the Club

February 20, 2014 0 Comments

It was bound to happen. For some time, Disney Channel – like all other television networks – has been under...

Country Music Is Clean…Right?

February 4, 2014 0 Comments

Rolling in the hay, rolling a fat one, and rolling around in 4x4’s. Along with lots of references to...

What Kids Will See at Super Bowl 48

January 30, 2014 0 Comments

It’s by far the most-watched television event of the year…any year. It garners over 100 million viewers and features some of...

Smoking, Sniffing, Snorting, and Sipping

January 18, 2014 0 Comments

Since January 1, 2014, recreational marijuana has been sold in various stores and shops in Colorado – legally. Adults searching...

The Power of Porn

January 3, 2014 0 Comments

“There’s only a few things I really care about in life. My body. My pad. My ride. My family....

The #1 Hits of 2013

December 13, 2013 0 Comments

A visit to the thrift shop, some (very) blurred lines… and coping with your “monster.”Those were just a few...

Four Practices That Build a Girl’s Self Image

November 25, 2013 0 Comments

A Victoria’s Secret commercial, a bikini clad girl in a reality show… a selfie pic posted by her best friend who...

Hostility in the Hallways

November 15, 2013 0 Comments

The past twelve months have seen their fair share of violence. From shootings, to the Boston bombing, to high-profile teen...

Thor 2: The Dark World

November 1, 2013 0 Comments

He said he’d return, and this Friday night, he will. On November 8th, Thor, the God of Thunder, will...

Messing Up Sex (In So Many Ways)

October 18, 2013 0 Comments

“Tasha” used her smartphone to snap a picture of herself – topless, of course – and, before she lost her courage,...

Grand Theft Auto 5

October 3, 2013 0 Comments

Franklin runs up to a car, swears at the driver, and tells him to get out. The driver resists...

The Messages in Today’s Top Music

September 20, 2013 0 Comments

There are several consistent messages in today’s most popular music. At (or near) the top of the charts, one...

Deadly Driving

September 6, 2013 0 Comments

5 teens from Texas. 6 in Ohio. 4 more from Illinois. Those were just a few of the teen driving deaths that happened...

The Culture Behind the Music

August 26, 2013 0 Comments

Miley twerking with Robin Thicke…Gaga in a thong…Macklemore and Ryan Lewis taking a stand for gay rights…That’s the buzz...

Youth Culture and Trends in 2013

August 16, 2013 0 Comments

What’s been going on in the world of teenagers so far in 2013?If you’ve been “checked out” for the...

Underprepared for Undergrad

August 2, 2013 0 Comments

Acceptance letter? Check. Class schedule? Check.Responsible roommate? Check. Today’s incoming college students seem to have everything they need to “start” college, but do they...

The Naked Truth

July 19, 2013 0 Comments

“Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25)“Shame” is so last year. Nudity is...

The Zombie Craze

July 6, 2013 0 Comments

This week Mark Oestreicher interviews Jonathan McKee about America’s obsession with the zombie genre.MARKO: This past TV season Walking Dead was the number one watched show on...

Eat Your Way to a Better Family

June 20, 2013 0 Comments

Those who know me know eating is my spiritual gift. I’m especially partial to great wings and pizza, a...

Summer Movies Save the Day (Part 2)

June 5, 2013 0 Comments

Planet Earth has already had a few close calls this summer with a box office filled with bad guys...

I Met Him On Instagram

May 8, 2013 0 Comments

Jonathan's new workbook, Should I Just Smash My Kid's Phone? releases this week.“I only wish I would have learned about some...

The 2013 MTV Movie Awards

April 15, 2013 0 Comments

While channel surfing past MTV, lots of parents and youth workers may be tempted to think that the network...

The Fall of Facebook

April 4, 2013 0 Comments

Did you hear the news? Facebook is dead. Teenagers just don’t use the social media site anymore because they’ve...

Christianity on Cable TV

March 21, 2013 0 Comments

It used to be that if someone wanted to learn about the Christian faith, they flipped through an actual...

Cover Your Ears

March 8, 2013 0 Comments

Over the years, song lyrics have often dipped into areas of controversy causing some to debate their appropriateness. But...

The (Total) Cost of Text Messaging

February 21, 2013 0 Comments

The cost of text messaging plans differs from carrier to carrier. Some charge for individual texts, some charge for...

The Big Problem of Teen Suicide

January 25, 2013 0 Comments

Based on a recent study of 6,500 teenagers (and their parents), researchers found that almost 1-in-25 American teens have attempted suicide,...

Losing Love Makes for Big Winners-Part II

January 11, 2013 0 Comments

Hookups and breakups. Rebounds and regret. Divorce and domestic violence. Oh, and some wagging genitalia, too. Yep, those were...

Losing Love Makes for Big Winners – Part I

January 4, 2013 0 Comments

At the start of 2012, Rihanna’s We Found Love was still in the top spot on music charts. “We fell in...

Christmas Wish Lists for 2012

December 13, 2012 0 Comments

Once upon a time, the Christmas toys that were in the most demand actually varied from season to season. For instance,...

Fender Benders and Felony Charges

November 30, 2012 0 Comments

The skid marks can still be seen on the exit ramp near my (David) home in Tampa, FL where...

One Direction Releases Second Album

November 15, 2012 0 Comments

Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall, and Zayn. No, that’s not a law firm in Los Angeles; they’re the names of...

Losing Control

November 2, 2012 0 Comments

When Stephen was a sophomore, he had a 4.4 GPA, was active in his church, and excelled in almost...

Procrastination 2012

October 18, 2012 0 Comments

In November of 2008, young liberals rushed voting booths with the same ferocity that Lawrence Taylor once rushed quarterbacks....

Lecrae

October 4, 2012 0 Comments

As the young man in baggy pants, tattoos, and a sideways hat walks up to the stage, many presume...

fun.

September 21, 2012 0 Comments

AWhen musicians break up with bands, it’s usually the beginning of the end for their careers. But one of...

The 2012 VMAs

September 8, 2012 0 Comments

Most parents teach their kids to say they’re sorry when they do something wrong, whether accidental or purposeful. It’s...

Promiscuous Programming Promotes Promiscuity

August 24, 2012 0 Comments

“On-screen promiscuity promotes promiscuity in real life.” (the journal Psychological Science)Funny… most teenagers claim, “It doesn’t affect me.”Sexual programming continues...

Image is Everything

August 10, 2012 0 Comments

36-24-36.No, those aren’t the winning numbers for this week’s lottery jackpot; they’re even more prized than that! Those digits...

Losing Love, Finding Lust

July 27, 2012 0 Comments

The battle between love and lust is quickly becoming one-sided in today’s culture. While the truth about love is...

Where Did God Go?

July 13, 2012 0 Comments

The differences between an 85-year-old and a 15-year-old go much deeper than just their wardrobe and music preferences. Research...

Face-to-Face on Facebook?

June 25, 2012 0 Comments

Imagine using Facebook to tell your friends what you’re doing via video, instead of typing what you’re doing via keyboard. Imagine using the...