Texting and social media “may not be enough”

Posted on: 04/27/20 3:22 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Last week Common Sense Media released the results of their most recent teen survey…during this Coronavirus epidemic… asking teens not only about screen-time, but their feelings and fears through all this.

The two numbers that jumped out at me the most were these:

  • 48% say they feel less connected than usual with their friends right now.

Common sense suggests that even though Continue reading “Texting and social media “may not be enough””

Posted in Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: , ,  | Leave A Comment

Do you want a sneak peek at my next book?

Posted on: 02/3/20 3:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

I’m looking for some people to give me feedback
about my book BEFORE it’s published

My 24-year-old daughter Alyssa and I are finishing up our last few chapters in my next book—and yes, this one I’m co-writing with her! She is bringing such an amazing perspective, I think people are really going to enjoy her vulnerability about the effect social media has had on her life.

The book is to teenagers about “face-to-face connections in a screen-to-screen world.” Alyssa and I share 40 tips to meaningful communication…that we wish we knew 5 years ago.

Would you like to read it next week? Because I’m looking for feedback… and you’ll have 10 days to peek at it.

Here’s the deal: If you’d like to read this book before anyone else does Continue reading “Do you want a sneak peek at my next book?”

Posted in Books, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: , , ,  | Leave A Comment

Does New Research Really Reveal Social Media Isn’t Harmful?

Posted on: 01/23/20 12:37 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

A few days ago the New York Times released an article titled, Panicking about Your Kids’ Phones? New Research Says Don’t. The subtitle reads, “A growing number of academics are challenging assumptions about the negative effects of social media and smartphones on children.”

So does this article hold water?

I mean, “panicking” definitely doesn’t sound like the answer, but is it true that this new research is revealing social media might not have so many negative effects? What about all the solid research that too much time screen time and social media is linked to Continue reading “Does New Research Really Reveal Social Media Isn’t Harmful?”

Posted in News, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: , , ,  | Leave A Comment

Getting Tired of Social Media

Posted on: 01/14/20 9:46 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Hailey Bieber calls Instagram a breeding ground for cruelty.

Lizzo quits twitter because of all the haters.

Kendall Jenner detoxes from Insta for a week.

And they’re not alone.

Is social media really all it’s cracked up to be?

Instagram, Twitter… is SUCH a breeding ground for cruelty towards each other, and because people don’t take the time to connect with each other on an honest level before they resort to hatred, it starts to damage what could be really beautiful human interaction and connection. – Hailey Bieber

Today I spent the day with Focus on the Family recording shows with the Plugged-In team and dialoguing with them about the effects of Continue reading “Getting Tired of Social Media”

Posted in Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: , , ,  | Leave A Comment

Instagram takes HUGE stride towards mental health

Posted on: 11/14/19 1:05 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri made an announcement last week that was music to my ears, actually putting mental health above “LIKES.”

Instagram will test “hiding LIKES” in the US because of the pressure it puts on today’s young people.

“We will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health,” said Mosseri.

Most of you saw my recent post, The Unforeseen Problem with Insta Followers: Why Pedophiles and Sex Traffickers Are Loving Social Media, an article unveiling two “unforeseen” dangers with social media, one of them being the negative effect that those little numbers at the top of the screen (Likes and Followers) are having on today’s young people Continue reading “Instagram takes HUGE stride towards mental health”

Posted in News, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: , , ,  | Leave A Comment

How well do you know young people’s media habits?

Posted on: 11/10/19 2:17 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Take Jonathan’s Quick 8-Question
TWEENS, TEENS & SCREENS QUIZ

How many hours a day does the average teen (13- to 18-year-olds) spend soaking in entertainment screen time?

Are tweens (8- to 12-year-olds) any different?

What entertainment activity do they enjoy the most?

Let’s test your knowledge!

After all, the newest numbers have just been tallied by Common Sense Media’s brand-new report tracking media use by tweens and teens…and this is the biggest and most widely cited report of its kind. For the last four years Continue reading “How well do you know young people’s media habits?”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, TV | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave A Comment

My TV Interview in Canada

Posted on: 10/1/19 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Last week Canadian TV show 100 Huntley Street had me in the studio talking about how to help today’s young guys battle the four biggest distractions in their lives…

I touch on all four in this 11 minute interview.

Here’s a peek…

If you are looking for a tool to help a young man fight these battles… this book might be exactly what you’re looking for: The Guy’s Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face.

Posted in Books, Parenting, Self Image, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, TV | Tags: , , , , ,  | Leave A Comment

Who do your kids follow?

Posted on: 09/25/19 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

Kids have always liked celebrities, and celebrities have always had influence… but never to the extent they do today.

In 1984 Madonna shocked the world at the first MTV Video Music Awards, rolling around on the stage in a wedding dress provocatively singing, Like a Virgin. Before you knew it, Gen X teens everywhere (now 50-year-old moms) were wearing lace gloves, 20 bracelets, a rosary, and if Mom and Dad weren’t looking—lingerie on the outside of their clothes. Madonna was an influencer (great documentary on how video killed the radio star- Episode 7 of this Netflix series).

But how much influence did a celebrity have at that time?

Kids could play Continue reading “Who do your kids follow?”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: , ,  | Leave A Comment

Smartphones, dopamine and phubbing

Posted on: 08/20/19 8:52 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

I love Simon Sinek’s passion about this subject… the problems smartphones are causing in homes and the workplace.

This little YouTube video is a great one to play with your families (and then ask the questions I posted below)

5 questions to ask your kids:

“Have you ever noticed this dopamine-driven desire to Continue reading “Smartphones, dopamine and phubbing”

Posted in Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: , , ,  | Leave A Comment

Instagram Hides “Likes”

Posted on: 07/23/19 5:47 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Email, RSS Follow

In the last year we’ve seen some really positive strides by tech and social media giants to actually help the mental health of its users…last year when IOS and Droid released new updates that includes screen time limits, downtime, etc… and now Instagram testing (lets just hope it lasts) hiding the likes everyone receives in effort to create a “less pressurized environment.”

This is HUGE for young people today.

It’s like this:

Kristy posts a picture of her new shoes and gets 32 likes Continue reading “Instagram Hides “Likes””

Posted in Self Image, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: , , , ,  | Leave A Comment