Entertainment Media Archives - Page 9 of 50 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Sex and Screens

Posted on: 04/21/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Last Friday night I spoke to a group of middle school kids in Cincinnati about sex and screens… here’s a glimpse of how we got the conversation started.

The format was fun. I spoke to them first, letting them know Sex Matters, even in a world that thinks it’s no big deal (DYM actually published a version of this talk HERE). Then I gave them four tools to become smarter than their smartphone, fleeing some of the temptations that can be distractions today (something I also addressed in this week’s Parenting Help article, Preventing the Permeation of Porn).

After a break, the students met with an adult leader in small groups and dialogued about what they heard. Here are the discussion questions I provided Continue reading “Sex and Screens”

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Binging… not Bonding

Posted on: 04/6/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Conventional wisdom would tell us that the more time we hang with our kids, the better, right?

Not so fast.

Our new Parenting Help article on TheSource4Parents.com this week reveals some very surprising research that will make parents rethink “quantity time.”

Think about it. What does your “quantity time” with your own kids look like?

Here’s a funny, but sobering little YouTube video from Continue reading “Binging… not Bonding”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Humor, Parenting, TV | | Leave A Comment

Teenaged Doubters

Posted on: 02/26/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Whenever I talk with today’s teenagers, I see them processing what I tell them. It’s almost as if they are weighing it in their minds:

“Does he really know what he is talking about?

Does this make sense?

Would this make my life better…or worse?”

Today’s adults don’t have presumed authority. Kids don’t take us at our word. We’ve raised a generation who grew up watching Nick and the Disney Channel where they’ve learned that parents and teachers are Continue reading “Teenaged Doubters”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Movies, Music, Parenting, Sexuality, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Walking Dead Conversations

Posted on: 02/17/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The-Walking-Dead It’s nice when the most watched cable show happens to also be one of the most discussion-provoking shows on television. (And that’s why we post discussion questions pointing to scripture after every episode.)

I’m talking about The Walking Dead. The hit show had its mid-season premier last week, and it drew over 15 million viewers, ranking it not only the top viewed cable show that week, but also beating most broadcast shows. In fact The Walking Dead beat out American Idol, Empire, Modern Family, Scandal, Two and Half Men, Two Broke Girls… and almost everything else.

And what is the common theme of the show week after week Continue reading “Walking Dead Conversations”

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The Need for Super Bowl Conversations

Posted on: 02/1/15 8:44 PM | by Jonathan McKee

After spending an entire weekend with a couple thousand teenagers in South Carolina, my attention was immediately turned to the most watched television broadcast of the year in the United States: the Super Bowl. It was an intriguing transition.

The Super bowl is a distinctive television event. It’s not unique to adults, and it’s not exclusive to teenagers (a la MTV Video Music Awards). It’s an event truly watched by the entire family (the commercials alone are a huge draw for all ages- did you notice the ad for the new SpongeBob movie? And the new Ted 2 movie… wait… is that for kids?).

So what did I take away from this year’s Super Bowl?

One conclusion Continue reading “The Need for Super Bowl Conversations”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, Parenting, Sexuality, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Content with My Sin

Posted on: 01/23/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I Just finished watching a movie on my flight, This is Where I Leave You. The film was extremely well written, with powerful performances and real-to-life characters. There was just one problem… I walked away content with my own sin.

Life sucks. So do what feels good at the moment.

Here lies the struggle: touching film… bleak perspective

One of the main reasons I enjoyed the movie was the authentic characters with genuine problems. They were blemished, just like me and just like the people sitting in the pews with me every week. But the reason I actually sit in the pew every week is because I desperately need Continue reading “Content with My Sin”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Faith, Jonathan's Rant, Movies | | Leave A Comment

What Teens Want to Read

Posted on: 01/7/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I always find it intriguing to see what forms of entertainment today’s young people are digesting in our culture. For most of us, that brings to mind the newest Vine video, social media app, or Nicki Minaj song in the Top 10. But what about books?

Every since Harry Potter, we’ve seen a surge in YA fiction (often followed by movie releases), like the Twilight series, the Hunger Games trilogy, Divergent, or the more recent The Fault in Our Stars. In a world with so many entertainment options, what is it young people are actually reaching for on the shelf today? And with steamy adult books like 50 Shades of Grey surging mainstream… will this trickle down to the teen market?

I asked YA author Continue reading “What Teens Want to Read”

Posted in Books, Entertainment Media, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Curb Your Phone Addiction

Posted on: 11/10/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Do your kids spend too much time on their phones?

Do YOU spend too much time on your phone?

Wanna app that will help you see exactly how much time you’re on your phone?

I think many people are becoming self aware that they spend too much time staring at screens (I won’t bring up that you’re staring at one now… because I actually WANT you to be reading this), because we’re seeing more and more blogs and funny parodies about “smartphone addiction” and I’m even hearing many teenagers admit they spend too much time on their phones.

If you’re curious exactly how much time, then try the new app called Moment which not only helps you track exactly how much time you’re using your phone each day, but also can help you set limits, with occasional “nudges” when you approach those limits.

Last month a similar app was introduced Continue reading “Curb Your Phone Addiction”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

The TV America is Watching

Posted on: 10/23/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I like to glimpse at the Nielsen charts every once in a while to see what Americans are watching on TV. And recently… it’s been football, Big Bang Theory, The Walking Dead, even more football, and The Voice.

For those of you who don’t care how the numbers work… here’s the most popular shows “families” are watching, listed by me, derived from three lists (if you’re curious how I’ve come up with these numbers, keep reading below) Continue reading “The TV America is Watching”

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