Would clergy dare to show this video during coffee hour?

Also, "tmatt heads to the other side of the world" news about the next few weeks

Before we get to the contents of this mid-week post, I’d like to explain why the next few weeks of Rational Sheep content will be rather different (but maybe not).

In a few days, my wife and I will be headed to the other side of the world — Australia and New Zealand, to be precise. Much of the time, during this three-week journey, we will be on a ship in the South Pacific. Ironically, it will be the same cruise ship that we were on last spring when we went to Alaska.

We will have WiFi, of course, but it may or may not be strong enough for a solid connection to my podcast partners at Lutheran Public Radio. In Alaska, we recorded a podcast with a good mobile phone signal in Sitka, with me camped out in a public library meeting room. Can I find something like that on land once or twice Down Under? We will see.

I am working hard, at the moment, to get interviews done in advance to make it easier to file my syndicated “On Religion” columns during the trip. One of those pieces may, literally, have a “Hobbiton” dateline.

I am, while doing this prep work, sending this mid-week post to all Rational Sheep readers — the free list and the circle of paid list folks — so that everyone knows what’s going on.

I wanted Rational Sheep readers to know that this newsletter will not be shutting down for awhile. I plan to post at least three times a week during this trip and I may be able to handle doing the usual four posts. Who knows? I may just post photos one day, with some personal thoughts.

On a related topic: Here’s a question that I’ve been thinking about. Every week, I am allowed to post my national “On Religion” column — at Tmatt.net (an archive of 30-plus years) — after it appears over the weekend in subscriber newspapers and websites (such as Religion Unplugged). Many Rational Sheep readers may not be seeing these columns. Should I post them here as well? Just asking.

This brings me to the video at the top of this post.

As you would expect, I am constantly thinking about ways for pastors, parents, teachers and counselors to be able to work together on issues of faith, family and the digital age — especially the adolescent mental health crisis linked to smartphones.

If anyone is looking for a concise piece of video that can be used in short forums — especially in religious congregations and schools — I would nominate this Academy of Ideas feature called “The Great Rewiring of Childhood: A Smartphone-Social Media Dystopia.” As you would expect, much of the content (which will be familiar to faithful Rational Sheep readers) is based on the work of Jonathan “The Anxious Generation” Haidt of New York University.

All of the basic tech-addiction issues are here, in a form appropriate for educational settings, along with discussions of negative trends linked to community life and children not having enough free-time play with peers. Yes, there is quite a bit of on-screen text here, but this provides essential background information.

What is missing? This is an essentially secular video, free of the spiritual issues that Haidt has openly discussed in many forums (scan this relevant Google search). Clergy can read up on that angle and talk to their own people.

I am working on another column (maybe two) on this topic. This led to a conversation the other day with a member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Carmel, Indiana. During the 2024 Advent season, this parish held an educational event to help parents learn about some of the tech options available, for those who have decided that many people — especially children — do not need to be walking around with the entire Internet in their pockets, purses and backpacks.

The pastor, Father Richard Doerr, wrote a parish bulletin feature that can be found online. This is precisely the kind of introduction that religious leaders need to offer, if they want to validate this subject in the pews. Note that this is a topic that the parish has been exploring for some time now.

This passage is long, but essential:

You may have seen a recent article in the Carmel Current that explained the “Wait Until 8th pledge,” a commitment to delay giving a child a smartphone until at least the end of eighth grade. More than 82,000 parents have signed the pledge nationwide. Our school has the distinction of having the most parents that have made the pledge which includes half of our school’s student body!

Incidentally, if you’re looking for a way to stay in touch with your kids — whether it’s for scheduling, activities, or just a quick check-in — but aren’t ready to hand them a smartphone, you’re not alone. The good news? There are plenty of kid-friendly phone options that let children make calls, send texts, and stay connected, without all the distractions and risks of a smartphone.

On December 7th and 8th, join us after any Mass in the Parish Life Center to explore some of the best devices on the market for kids. Invite your non-Catholic friends too! We’ll be featuring brands like Gabb, Light Phone, Troomi, and Bark, each offering safe, simple alternatives that focus on communication — without the complications of internet browsing or social media.

This isn’t a typical product showcase. It’s a casual, interactive event where you can try out each device firsthand, ask questions, and get expert advice on which option might be the best fit for your family. Whether you’re concerned about screen time, privacy, or just want to find something that gives your child a bit more independence without the overwhelming features of a smartphone, this event has you covered.

Note that several different tech companies sent representatives, showing a variety of options in the marketplace. Yes, some offered discounts to parents and others in the parish.

Is this “spiritual” work? Had the parish, to use the Southern phrase, “gone to meddling” in the lives of families? That depends, I guess. Are anxiety, depression, porn addiction and self harm “spiritual” matters, maybe even topics that pastors in ancient Christian traditions need to discuss in sermons and during the Sacrament of Confession?

Like I said, I will be writing a column (or two) in the near future about the Our Lady of Mount Carmel event. But I wanted to get this Academy of Ideas video into circulation without delay.

Readers: What would happen if someone played this video during “coffee hours” in your congregations?

Just asking.