The Intertwining Power of Music and Television

Posted on: 02/4/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Katy-MissyIn my previous post I highlighted some eye-catching elements that many parents overlooked during last Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast (and no, it had nothing to do with the Illuminati). In this post, I want to turn my attention strictly to the music.

Last Sunday morning Missy Elliott wasn’t on the music charts and certainly wasn’t on young people’s radar. But then Katy Perry invited her to come and perform with her in the most watched halftime show in Super Bowl history.

Now Missy’s experiencing Continue reading “The Intertwining Power of Music and Television”

Posted in Jonathan's Rant, Music, Parenting, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, TV, Youth Culture |  | Leave A Comment

The Need for Super Bowl Conversations

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

Email, RSS Follow

Ted-2-for-kidsAfter 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

From SnapChat to Tappy

Posted on: 01/20/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

tappy appIt’s called Tappy. It’s the newest app acquired by Tinder, and the buzz is that it’s Instagram meets Snapchat.

The conversation begins with a photo, and then becomes chat. All messages disappear after 24 hours.

It’s everything young people want: pics, social media, anonymity and of course… it’s ephemeral. The first two elements aren’t bad, but the latter two are where young people frequently get into trouble.

Let me explain.

Parents should beware of any app promoting a lack of accountability. Anonymity only breeds irresponsibility. If you don’t believe me, look at the Continue reading “From SnapChat to Tappy”

Posted in Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Parenting, Self Image, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture |  | Leave A Comment

You May be Addicted to Your Smartphone If…

Posted on: 12/22/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Amy Williams just wrote a fascinating guest post about teen smartphone addiction for our Parenting Help column on TheSource4Parents.com this week.

For those of you who are a little more visual, here’s her infographic: You may be addicted to your smartphone if… Continue reading “You May be Addicted to Your Smartphone If…”

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

5 Ideas to Help Your Kids be Smarter Than Their Smartphone

Posted on: 12/9/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Today's-TeensLast night my wife and I saw a friend at a Christmas party who I hadn’t seen in months… at least face-to-face. But immediately I complimented her on her Thanksgiving decorations and asked how her daughter’s b-day party was last weekend… as if we had just talked days before.

Why?

Instagram. I follow her on Instagram.

Americans have plenty of complaints about cell phones and the Internet. I regularly encounter parents who just want to smash their kids’ phones. But let’s not be too quick to throw the baby out with the bathwater Continue reading “5 Ideas to Help Your Kids be Smarter Than Their Smartphone”

Posted in Bullying/Cyberbullying, Internet, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture |  | Leave A Comment

Reducing Teen Sexual Activity

Posted on: 12/4/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

between the sheetsIn a world where 64% of high school seniors have already engaged in sexual intercourse, most parents would welcome programs or information helping reduce teen sexual activity. But there lies the debate. What actually works?

Planned Parenthood claims to have developed a sex education program cutting the number of sexually active eighth-graders by about 15 percent. That might not sound like much, but Planned Parenthood backers would be quick to tell you Continue reading “Reducing Teen Sexual Activity”

Posted in Parenting, Sexuality, Youth Culture |  | Leave A Comment

Our New “Toddler”

Posted on: 12/2/14 6:42 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Golden Doodle PuppyIt’s been a long time since we’ve cared for an infant of any kind, and we’re getting a ginormous dose of it this month… raising our new puppy.

Honestly, I think our kids were easier than this!

Saturday we drove and picked up our brand new Golden Doodle named Pippin (yes, from Lord of the Rings… and Jaws, if you’re a serious film nerd). His mom’s a Golden Retriever and his dad is a Poodle. He’s 7 weeks old, clumsy, adorable… and “so fluffy I’m gonna die!”

He’s inside with us all the time and he’s a peeing machine! We have to Continue reading “Our New “Toddler””

Posted in Parenting, Personal |  | Leave A Comment

Death of the Dining Room

Posted on: 11/25/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Family DinnerAs families and friends gather together for the holidays, the big question I have is… where will they gather?

Their dining room?

The kitchen?

It’s funny how much you can tell about a society’s social norms solely from the changes in its home design. Think about it.

  • Do you have a dining room?
  • Is your kitchen sink near the social center of your house?
  • What year was your home built?

Today’s homes have two glaring changes compared to homes from a few decades past Continue reading “Death of the Dining Room”

Posted in Family, Food, Jonathan's Rant, Marriage, Parenting |  | Leave A Comment

My TV Interview about Sex

Posted on: 11/13/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

More-Than-Just-The-Talk-WEBToday I’m being filmed for a Canadian TV show- a Christian talk show. We’re filming several segments about my upcoming book to parents, More Than Just the Talk (coming this February/March), and then some bit on how to open the doors of dialogue with today’s teenagers.

It’s interesting, as I’ve been preparing for this, taking a peek at some of the newest studies about teen sex, I keep seeing the same assertions. “We need to talk with our kids about this regularly!”

It doesn’t matter how liberal or conservative the report Continue reading “My TV Interview about Sex”

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

Curb Your Phone Addiction

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

Email, RSS Follow

phone-addictionDo 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