I lead an LDS congregation (and I'm also a father of three kids). The Pew poll is spot on. Our kids, and the kids from church, are inundated by social media pressures. It truly has made life for teenagers harder than it ever was for teens in my generation.
We talk about screens quite frequently in church. We have specific lessons about screen culture, and also indirect talks and lessons, such as when we talk about loving our neighbor or seeing ourselves as God sees us, and mentioning the impact of screens on those concepts.
Our youth are probably in better shape than most, but they are still susceptible to the troubles impacting everyone else. There are a lot of families who don't allow their kids to have a smart phone or access to social media until a certain age. Those kids, as you can imagine, are the strongest mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The kids who do have regular access to smart phones struggle the most. It is sadly ironic that the more "connected" they are, the more truly disconnected they become to their community.
One of the hardest things I see are the kids who choose not to have smart phones and are ridiculed by their peers. Or the teenage girl who chooses not to dress like her peers who get their fashion sense from Instagram. I suppose I at least take comfort in the belief that the adversity they face now will prove to be a strength to them as they enter adulthood.
I’m a semi-retired pastor. I think screen culture is a big problem. In fact, I feel somewhat chagrined when I see my own weekly summaries of screen time. I recall reading a good while back an essay that asked the question, “Is Google making us stupid?” I suppose the answer is yes and no. I read a good bit on Substack, follow several theologians, Christian thinkers of various stripes (including Rod Dreher) and feel my world is broadened as a result. Many books I read are ones mentioned or suggested by others online.
I got into streaming, as mentioned, because of COVID. Mine was a low key approach, recording a 20 minute sermon in the pastor’s office weekly.
This is anecdotal: I’m told some churches are reporting higher attendance numbers now because they count online participation (I never knew how many people watched me).
I did mention screens occasionally during sermons. I never spent much time on it but I knew it was a problem.
I think all the negative aspects are a reality, from bullying to porn to doom scrolling.
I don’t know how influence pastors have these days. Would anyone listen to us if we took on screen culture? Of course we should never discount the power of the Holy Spirit. Certainly the secular world is not going to take it on.
Read the Pew numbers. Many parents want help. Many young people know they need help. NOT ALL. But many coalitions are forming. I want the church in that mix.
I lead an LDS congregation (and I'm also a father of three kids). The Pew poll is spot on. Our kids, and the kids from church, are inundated by social media pressures. It truly has made life for teenagers harder than it ever was for teens in my generation.
We talk about screens quite frequently in church. We have specific lessons about screen culture, and also indirect talks and lessons, such as when we talk about loving our neighbor or seeing ourselves as God sees us, and mentioning the impact of screens on those concepts.
Our youth are probably in better shape than most, but they are still susceptible to the troubles impacting everyone else. There are a lot of families who don't allow their kids to have a smart phone or access to social media until a certain age. Those kids, as you can imagine, are the strongest mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The kids who do have regular access to smart phones struggle the most. It is sadly ironic that the more "connected" they are, the more truly disconnected they become to their community.
One of the hardest things I see are the kids who choose not to have smart phones and are ridiculed by their peers. Or the teenage girl who chooses not to dress like her peers who get their fashion sense from Instagram. I suppose I at least take comfort in the belief that the adversity they face now will prove to be a strength to them as they enter adulthood.
I’m a semi-retired pastor. I think screen culture is a big problem. In fact, I feel somewhat chagrined when I see my own weekly summaries of screen time. I recall reading a good while back an essay that asked the question, “Is Google making us stupid?” I suppose the answer is yes and no. I read a good bit on Substack, follow several theologians, Christian thinkers of various stripes (including Rod Dreher) and feel my world is broadened as a result. Many books I read are ones mentioned or suggested by others online.
I got into streaming, as mentioned, because of COVID. Mine was a low key approach, recording a 20 minute sermon in the pastor’s office weekly.
This is anecdotal: I’m told some churches are reporting higher attendance numbers now because they count online participation (I never knew how many people watched me).
I did mention screens occasionally during sermons. I never spent much time on it but I knew it was a problem.
I think all the negative aspects are a reality, from bullying to porn to doom scrolling.
I don’t know how influence pastors have these days. Would anyone listen to us if we took on screen culture? Of course we should never discount the power of the Holy Spirit. Certainly the secular world is not going to take it on.
Read the Pew numbers. Many parents want help. Many young people know they need help. NOT ALL. But many coalitions are forming. I want the church in that mix.