Youth Culture Archives - Page 7 of 57 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

A Peek Inside the Top Music of 2016

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

Every 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?

Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, Youth Culture | Tags: adele, billboard hot 100, black beatles, closer, drake, justin bieber, panda, pillowtalk, rihanna, teenagers, the chainsmokers, Top music, top songs of 2016 | Leave A Comment

It Ain’t My Fault

Posted on: 12/6/16 4:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Oxford Dictionary just released their brand new “word of the year” for 2016, and it should serve as a sobering slap in the face as to exactly how irrational and foolish we’ve become.

The word is post-truth.

The definition is basically this: who cares what’s true. It’s only what “feels right” that matters (see Romans 1:18 for an expanded definition).

We just posted our brand new Youth Culture Window article, Who Needs Truth?, about this dangerous mindset and how today’s young people are Continue reading “It Ain’t My Fault”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, News, Youth Culture | Tags: Christian values, morality, oxford dictionary word of the year, post-truth, teenagers, what feels right | Leave A Comment

why STDs are at an unprecedented high

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

The 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”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, News, Parenting, Sexuality, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: cause of STDs, CDC report, rise in STDs, sex, sex education, sexual activity, stds, teen stds, teens, teens sexually active | Leave A Comment

The 30 Most Influential Teens

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

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”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, Music, News, Social Media, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

A Look at Today’s Top Music… even in Amish PA

Posted on: 10/25/16 3:54 PM | by Jonathan McKee

I just arrived home from a great weekend with Victory Church in Lancaster, PA. I trained their youth leaders Saturday night, preached in the three morning services, and then taught my Parenting The Smartphone Generation Workshop that night.

The church shoots video of their services, streams them live to their 5 locations, and then posts it online.

So here’s my sermon “Opening Up the Doors of Dialogue In Your Home”… where I gave an eye-opening peek into today’s youth culture (starting about about 20 minutes into it), including a tour of the top music young people are listening to today (starting at 29 minutes)… even in Amish Pennsylvania.

For those of you who haven’t had the chance to hear me live, here’s a peek!

Enjoy!

10-23-16- Let’s Talk: Part 7 – Special Guest, Jonathan McKee from Victory Church on Vimeo.

Posted in Entertainment Media, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Speaking/Training, Youth Culture | Tags: Jonathan McKee, lancaster county, parenting, smartphone generation, top 10 songs, victory church | Leave A Comment

Parenting Amish

Posted on: 10/22/16 8:30 PM | by Jonathan McKee

In the beginning of my book More Than Just the Talk I give an example of speaking in a conservative Mennonite Brethren church in Amish, PA, and listening to parents share stories of the racy content their kids were exposed to in this perceived mecca of purity in North America.

This weekend I returned to Amish, PA to speak at yet another church (my third in Lancaster County), and I decided to visit the local Target to take a peek for myself. After all, every other state I visit I hear frustrated parents mumble under their breath, “Maybe I’ll just move to Amish, PA… then I won’t have to deal with any of this!”

Is that true?

Continue reading “Parenting Amish”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, Parenting, Speaking/Training, Travel, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Kanye West, MTV and Small Screens

Posted on: 09/6/16 1:13 PM | by Jonathan McKee

Kanye West debuted his bizarre new music video on the MTV Music Video Awards (VMAs) a week ago… and nobody cared.

Until the next day. Then it went viral.

The reason is simple: young people are changing the way they view entertainment media.

Young people are no longer limited to a time and place to watch what they want to watch. With almost 88% of American teens owning smartphones this year, this allows young people Continue reading “Kanye West, MTV and Small Screens”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Smartphones/Cell Phones, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Contemplating “Suicide Squad”

Posted on: 08/18/16 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

“Outside you’re amazing, but inside you’re ugly.”

“We all are.” (Harley Quinn, Suicide Squad)

Imperfection isn’t anything to celebrate. But awareness of your own flaws is a step in the right direction.

That’s probably why I enjoyed DC Film’s Suicide Squad so much. It’s the story of a band of notorious criminals given a second chance to use their strengths to do good, and in the process, they discover a sense of comradery and purpose. It’s a story of redemption.

Don’t get me wrong. This movie is far from an afterschool special you’d show your kids (although today’s parents seemed to miss that memo—the theatre was packed with kids). Like most Hollywood heroes today, the characters are gritty and flawed. At times the Continue reading “Contemplating “Suicide Squad””

Posted in Entertainment Media, Movies, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

3 Ways to Use Pokémon Go for Conversations

Posted on: 07/28/16 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Everyone is jumping on the Pokémon Go craze… the most viral fad since the Harlem Shake. Every news channel has given their take on it, explaining it play by play, analyzing it’s effect on the work place, even providing tips how to play it at work without getting fired.

And that’s the thing. Pokémon fever isn’t just for kids. Go to the park near your house. You’ll see Continue reading “3 Ways to Use Pokémon Go for Conversations”

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