The Bro App

Posted on: 03/10/14 3:25 AM | by Jonathan McKee

broappOkay, this is either really hilarious… or really sad.

It’s called the BroApp. A couple of Australian tech guys noticed a market for a product that would help irresponsible “bros” text their girlfriends regularly to tell them they care.

Hmmmmm… I’m not sure if this is the same thing as when I used to hide little love notes in my wife’s luggage before she left on a retreat.

It’s like this. You select your girlfriends number, some messages, and the Continue reading “The Bro App”

Kids React to Rotary Phones

Posted on: 03/6/14 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s always funny to see how kids react to pieces of our past… and that’s what the YouTube channel “Kids React to…” loves to show us.

A while back I showed you a video of theirs, Kids React to Lady Gaga. This week I stumbled upon their newest video, Kids React to Rotary Phones. Hilarious!

(ht Ypulse.com)

Instagram Contest

Posted on: 02/26/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Jonathan-McKee-InstagramWINNERS POSTED! (at bottom of post)

I feel like giving something away!

Last week in Chicago my 16-year-old got on my case for Tweeting and posting pics on my Pinterestbut not Instagram. So I finally caved in to her repeated onslaughts.

“Okay… I’ll get an Instagram. Shut up!”  (Isn’t that how loving father’s talk?)

So there it is. I just leapt onto the Instagram bandwagon, and thought it would be fun to have a little contest Continue reading “Instagram Contest”

Selfie

Posted on: 01/29/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Dove-Real-Beauty-SelfieDove does it again, delivering another eye-opening piece about women’s self image, and providing a great opportunity to talk with our young girls about their insecurities (prompting me to write this discussion you can use with their video, with small group questions, scripture and a wrap up).

You might remember Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches,” where a forensic artist was asked to draw sketches of women based on their own descriptions. Or you might remember their “Evolution” video where a woman sits down and is bombarded by people applying make up and hair… and then Photoshop… to attempt to measure up to the world’s definition of beauty. Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty has had enough of the world’s unattainable definition of beauty.

Dove just released another video, this time about the selfie Continue reading “Selfie”

Smartphones for Kids?

Posted on: 01/16/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Girls texting“Do you know where your children are?”

If you’re my age, you probably remember that catchy slogan from the 80’s. I don’t think I’ve heard that question in over a decade. Probably because parents have access to handy little GPS locators in every one of their kid’s pockets!

They’re called “iPhones.”

The problem is, many parents are hesitant to by their 10-year-old an iPhone when they find out Continue reading “Smartphones for Kids?”

Craving Face to Face

Posted on: 01/2/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Today's-Teens“My kid spends way too much time staring at her phone!”

It’s the number one complaint I hear from moms and dads at my parent workshops across North America—kids spending too much time glued to technology.

So whose fault is that?

Microsoft researcher Danah Boyd says parents should blame themselves.

“Teens aren’t addicted to social media. They’re addicted to each other.” Boyd says. “They’re not allowed to hang out the way you and I did, so they moved it online.” Continue reading “Craving Face to Face”

Teen Social Media Hookup Culture Unveiled

Posted on: 10/3/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

My Twitter followers saw me link an article Tuesday morning I described as the most accurate article I’ve ever read about today’s social media hookup culture. It’s a day later, and I stand my ground.

Don’t misinterpret my words: I’m not saying the activities described in this article are what every kid is doing “on Facebook” (Omegle? Probably so), but I would say that I observe the ripple effect from this subculture rocking Continue reading “Teen Social Media Hookup Culture Unveiled”

The Infiltration of US Culture

Posted on: 09/9/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Do you ever wonder if teenagers are the same across the globe?

I’ve been in the city of Kampala, Uganda almost a week now hanging with teenagers, parents, and youth workers. I’ve spoken at several youth events, taught a parent workshop, and spent four full days (so far) training and interacting with youth workers (two days of training to go). It’s been a wild ride… literally!

I think you’ll be intrigued by Continue reading “The Infiltration of US Culture”