Media Use by Kids Age Zero to Eight

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

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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”

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Does Sexy Music Really Affect Me?

Posted on: 08/30/17 1:30 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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I guess it’s a good time to ask this question when the No. 1 song on the charts articulates, “I want to show my mouth your favorite places, let me trespass your danger zones until I make you scream.”

Whenever I speak to parents I tend to provide them with a glimpse into the world of youth culture: the apps young people frequent (on their smartphones at an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes a day), the games they’re playing (teen boys play an average of 56 minutes per day), and the music they’re soaking in (at an average of 1 hour and 54 minutes per day) (Media Use by Tweens and Teens, page 19 and 31). Sometime I even play YouTube videos or paste lyrics of the top dozen songs right on the screen for parents to see firsthand. The reaction is always the same:

“I didn’t know it was this bad!”

Well, I’ve been doing this two decades now… and I’ve never seen the top 12 songs this bad Continue reading “Does Sexy Music Really Affect Me?”

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Sex in the Top 10

Posted on: 07/18/17 6:32 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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I’m always amazed how shocked parents are when I simply take them on a tour of the top 10 songs in the charts at any given time.

Many of you have heard me take parents on this tour (here’s me doing it in Amish PA). In a world where young people average 2 hours a day listening to music, it’s always wise to hear what messages they’re gleaning through their headphones. Today… that message happens to be pretty sexually charged.

David and I just did a quick review of the top 10 in this week’s YOUTH CULTURE WINDOW article. Take a peek at what our kids are hearing this summer and several free resources we provide to engage kids in meaningful conversation about these songs.

SEXY SONGS OF THE SUMMER

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Talking with our kids about Katy Perry

Posted on: 06/19/17 10:34 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Katy Perry’s back on the charts with her brand new album, Witness, which will debut straight to No. 1 tomorrow on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.

What will our kids hear from Katy this time around? More importantly, how can you talk with them about what they hear?

In 2013 I asked the same question about her album Prism when I wrote the article, “Dad, Can I Download Katy Perry’s New Album?” In that album we saw Katy get honest and talk about fighting depression, but we also saw the typical themes of partying and sleeping around. This time expect a little more of the same—some vulnerability, and some DGAF mindset (don’t give a…).

For example, in her song Roulette we notice Continue reading “Talking with our kids about Katy Perry”

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Mom, is Chance the Rapper a Christian?

Posted on: 02/16/17 10:53 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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It’s not something anyone expected to see at the Grammys—a rapper leading worship.

As millions of Americans gathered around their flatscreens this week for one of the most anticipated award shows of the year, they had no idea what was about to take place. One moment Gaga was singing with Metallica. The next moment one of the countless young ladies with a distractingly plunging neckline introduced Chance the Rapper… and a hush fell over the crowd as an angelic voice began singing the words, “How Great is Our God.”

“Pinch me Mildred, but did someone just switch the channels?”

If you missed the moment, then you not only missed Chance the Rapper making history Continue reading “Mom, is Chance the Rapper a Christian?”

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Lady Gaga Super Bowl Performance

Posted on: 02/5/17 6:09 PM | by Jonathan McKee

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Hey… just wanted to hit you with a quick post in the middle of the game. Lady Gaga just performed what some are already calling a “mediocre” Super Bowl Halftime performance. A little harsh commentary, I think. If Gaga isn’t scandalous, they call her boring.

And you wonder why so many are trying scandalous.

Here’s a quick recap of her performance Continue reading “Lady Gaga Super Bowl Performance”

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Ariana Grande upset about being objectified

Posted on: 01/5/17 4:33 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Ariana-Grande-Dangerous-Woman-videoPop singer Ariana Grande went on a Tweet rant about being “objectified.”

I’m sorry. I’m trying my hardest to not roll on the ground laughing.

I honestly checked the date. Nope. Not April 1st. I was about to check Quentin Tarantino’s Twitter and see if he was upset about gratuitous violence.

Apparently Ariana was getting food with her boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller last week when a young boy approached the two of them Continue reading “Ariana Grande upset about being objectified”

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A Peek Inside the Top Music of 2016

Posted on: 12/20/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Billboard-2016-NO-1Every year-end we write a special Youth Culture Window article dissecting every Billboard No. 1 hit song of the year.

This year there were eleven No. 1’s filled with break ups and hook ups, drugs and alcohol, sung by musical legends and unknown newbies. 2016’s most popular songs were marked by tremendous diversity in theme, genre, and artists.

But when the music ended, what did our kids really hear?

Take a peek at our breakdown. We share lyrical excerpts, some links to online videos, and a brief discussion of the song’s meaning to help you understand what elements were imparted to teenagers through the music.

Here it is!

The No. 1 Songs of 2016
What Impact Did They Make on Young Listeners?

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why STDs are at an unprecedented high

Posted on: 11/30/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

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Do-You-Wanna-Know-the-TruthThe CDC posted a press release last month revealing STDs are at an unprecedented high in the U.S. In fact, “despite recent declines, 2015 was the second year in a row in which increases were seen in all three nationally reported STDs.” It will be interesting to see where these numbers come in at the end of 2016. The increases from just 2014 to 2015 ranged from a 5.9% increase of chlamydia to a 19.0% increase of P&S syphilis.

Yikes!

This is where everyone begins tossing theories around. Some blame Continue reading “why STDs are at an unprecedented high”

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The 30 Most Influential Teens

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

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Time-Most-Influencial-Teens

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”

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