Jonathan's Blog From The Source
Posted on: 12/22/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
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
Posted on: 12/9/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Last 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 on: 12/4/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
In 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
Posted on: 11/13/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Today 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
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
Posted on: 11/4/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
I’ve been speaking at camps for almost 20 years, and I gotta admit… this is a first!
I received a call this summer from a camp director of a big camp in TX and he told me, “I’d like you to speak at our camp this winter, but it’s going to be a little bit different than the typical senior high retreat.”
He wasn’t kidding. This camp is going all out. Each year they have anywhere from 500 to 1000 students at these retreats, but this year they are hosting a “Zombie Senior High Weekend” and they have Hollywood makeup and set designers Continue reading “Zombie Senior Retreat”
Posted in Books, Speaking/Training, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 10/29/14 10:25 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Remember when Halloween costumes were as simple as a cowboy hat and boots, or a sheet with holes poked in it? Today it’s not that simple. And if you’re a female the pressure is on… the burden to be sexy.
Mean Girls said it years ago, and today’s teens know it to be true. Halloween is the one time a year where girls have an excuse to dress like sluts.
Last night NBC’s brand new show Marry Me jested about this reality when Dennah and Annie discussed what costumes they’d wear this year:
Dennah: I’d love some feedback on my costume. Two years ago I went as a slutty nurse and then last year I was a slutty judge. But this year I’m just going to cut out the middleman and go as a slut.
Continue reading “I’ll go as a slut”
Posted in Jonathan's Rant, Music, Parenting, Self Image, Sexuality, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
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
Posted on: 10/9/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Teens typically think their smartphone use is reasonable.
Parents and teachers, however, think teen smartphone use is out of control!
Who’s right?
That’s the question I just proposed in the brand new blog I’m writing to teenagers every week (the blog is being hosted by that amazing new Faith Happenings site, the new online hub of Christian happenings in your city).
Here’s a snippet of that blog post Continue reading “Talking with Teens about Their Smartphones”
Posted on: 10/1/14 9:41 AM | by Jonathan McKee
NOTE: As of Oct 7th, this app has been pulled by iTunes. See comments below.
We’ve seen apps helping people hook up, apps for people who just want to “cuddle”… I guess it’s no surprise that now some college students will rely on an app for sexual consent.
In a world where laws are emerging requiring mutual “affirmative consent” in attempt to prevent or reduce sexual abuse, miscommunication or regretted sexual activities, I guess I should have guessed this app would surface Continue reading “Sexual Consent… App?”
Posted in Jonathan's Rant, News, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
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