I recently finished watching Frontline: Growing Up Online. It is a compelling look at how teens engage with the internet in the US. It looks at the effects of social network sites (like Facebook & MySpace) on youth culture and suggests that just as we learn social interaction skills so do we need to learn online skills. One of the biggest insights I felt was the distinction between how adults and teens interact with the web. For adults it is a place we go for additional services, be it shopping, emailing, or gathering information. For teens the internet is just a natural progression of their daily interaction with friends. To not have it is to be isolated. The 45 minute documentary is well worth your time and is available to view online for free or can be purchased from iTunes for $1.99.

I decided to post a few of the videos we used at our GEM-K Winter Camp for your viewing pleasure. I tried my hardest to make them deep and profound but I'm pretty sure I failed. We all got a good laugh though.

I have to meet these kids some day.

Don't try this on the freeway.

This was the song we used at camp when we talked about holy anger.

This ad makes me feel fresh every time I watch it.

I forget how I worked this one into my discussion but I remember it working in my head.

As Christians do we know what we're for? Do we know what we're all about or are we just trying to be on the right side? If Christianity becomes simply about not doing things then we miss the point entirely. Read More...

Is Jesus cool? Can you be cool and a Christian too? Perhaps these questions miss the point. Read More...

GEM-Ks fly a lot. Often we feel comfortable on planes. I'm not convinced that's just because we've flown so much. Read More...