Internet Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight

Posted on: 10/19/17 10:54 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Common Sense Media just released a brand new report about the evolution of media use by kids age eight and under.

Yes… eight and under!

If you found it difficult to believe that the average age today’s kids receive their first smartphone is 10 (yes… that’s just the average), then you’ll find it even more intriguing how much and what kinds of technology kids are using in the years prior.

I think parents are slowly realizing that kids are being inundated with entertainment media and technology at younger ages. In my parent workshops, churches no longer just market to Continue reading “Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Music, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, TV, Youth Culture | Tags: children, common sense media, entertainment media, zero to eight years old | Leave A Comment

New sexually explicit cartoon on Netflix

Posted on: 09/28/17 10:56 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The show is called Big Mouth, and it’s premiering on Netflix this weekend. It’s a cartoon about teenagers whose lives have been upended by the wonders and horrors of puberty.

For those who think today’s young people aren’t exposed to sexual messages and imagery… think again.

Take a peek at the trailer here: (and WARNING: This YouTube trailer is very sexually explicit and contains foul language… and yeah… it’s available on your kid’s phone.) Continue reading “New sexually explicit cartoon on Netflix”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, TV | Tags: Big Mouth, media discernment, Netflix, parenting, sexually explicit imagery | Leave A Comment

Is Snapchat and Snapmaps safe?

Posted on: 09/26/17 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s the number one app kids use, and it’s the number one app parents ask me about at my parent workshops. I hear it all the time:

Is Snapchat bad?

Should I let my daughter use Snapchat?

Or more recently…

Is SnapMaps dangerous? Should I advise my daughter to go “Ghostmode”?

It’s something I’ve written articles about in detail, and something I always devote time to when I’m addressing students directly about wise posting in an insecure world. So what do Mom and Dad need to know about this app, especially with its fun new feature called “SnapMaps” where your Snap friends can see your exact locations on a map at all times? Continue reading “Is Snapchat and Snapmaps safe?”

Posted in Internet, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: parenting, Snapchat, snapmaps, teenagers | Leave A Comment

Why 13 Reasons Why

Posted on: 05/1/17 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Suicide, upskirt photos, social media, bullying… it’s almost as if someone posted a hidden camera in the hallways of the high school down your street. The realism is a little too close to home, and parents are beginning to worry.

Should our kids be watching this?

If you have teenagers, work with teenagers or even have crossed paths with a teenager in the last month, you probably have heard them talking about 13 Reasons Why. It’s the newest bingeable series from Netflix touching on everything teenager Continue reading “Why 13 Reasons Why”

Posted in Discussion Ideas, Entertainment Media, Internet, Movies, Parenting, Self Image, TV, Youth Culture | Tags: 13 reasons why, binge watching, entertainment media, Netflix, parenting, rape, social media, suicide | Leave A Comment

Social media making kids less “social”

Posted on: 02/27/17 3:28 AM | by Jonathan McKee

My friend Ryan brought this YouTube video to my attention… a creative insight into how social media is making us less “social.” It’s super short, incredibly insightful… and guarantied to provoke conversation.

Here’s the video and some followup questions to engage in meaningful conversation with your kids:

Questions you could ask Continue reading “Social media making kids less “social””

Posted in Discussion Ideas, Entertainment Media, Internet, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: discussion starter, Prince Ea, self worth, smartphones, social media, teenagers | Leave A Comment

Engaging kids in conversations about “Stranger Things”

Posted on: 02/23/17 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I’m loving this new Netflix Discussion page!

Yeah! Using Stranger Things to discuss Luke Chapter 11. Whodathunkit?

A few months ago we announced a brand new resource on our TheSource4Parents.com page … our brand new Netflix Discussions page. The page gives parents ideas for dialoguing about what they watch with their kids on Netflix.

No, we don’t expect moms and dads to sit their kids down and Continue reading “Engaging kids in conversations about “Stranger Things””

Posted in Discussion Ideas, Entertainment Media, Internet, Parenting, TV, Youth Culture | Tags: Bible Study, biblical discussions, curriculum, engaging kids, Netflix, parenting, Stranger Things | Leave A Comment

The 30 Most Influential Teens

Posted on: 11/10/16 4:31 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Time has released their annual list of the 30 most influential teens of 2016, and it’s intriguing to see the personalities who are resonating with today’s young people.

When you read through the list you’ll probably discover some common denominators. Most are TV and music stars, a few Olympians, some entrepreneurs, and then another prominent category… LGBTQ.

Here are some of my observations about this year’s list:
Continue reading “The 30 Most Influential Teens”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, Music, News, Social Media, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Will Your Kids Watch “Easy” on Netflix?

Posted on: 09/22/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Today’s young people love Netflix. It’s mobile, it’s commercial free, and as a bonus… most parents have no idea what their kids are watching.

That’s why parents should probably be aware of the new sexually-charged Netflix original series, Easy, streaming on their devices starting today, September 22^nd. The show follows (and I quote) “diverse Chicagoans fumbling through the modern maze of love, sex, technology and culture.”

I’m not telling you to write your congressman and get the show banned. I’m just suggesting, in a world where 49% of 15-20-year-olds stream on demand content like Netflix daily, and 78% of “on their own Millennials” have subscriptions to these entertainment venues… it might be good to know what exactly it is they’re watching, how we can use Netflix binging for bonding, and how to respond if we discover them watching mature or adult content (which is why I’m going to provide you with 3 ways to overreact react when this happens).

In the trailer we observe…

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, TV | | Leave A Comment

The Draw of Nudity

Posted on: 07/7/16 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

In 2013 The Discovery Channel launched a show with the title Naked and Afraid. It’s now in its 5^th season. The following year VH1 launched Dating Naked. The Season 3 premier was on last week.

What’s next… Bowling Naked?

Nudity has been a draw for audiences since before I was born, but now, much more commonplace. Many of you might recall an article I wrote on the subject in 2013, The Naked Truth. That previous TV season had seen a 407 percent increase of “blurred nudity” than the season prior.

Continue reading “The Draw of Nudity”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Sexuality, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment