ym360 Trends and Culture Update (Vol 14)

At ym360, we're committed to equipping youth workers. While most of our energy is dedicated to doing this in the areas of Bible Study Resources and Training, we believe it's valuable for youth workers and parents to stay in the loop on what is happening in youth culture and culture in general. (Read why we think it's important here.) A couple times a month, we'll do a post like this one, where we link to relevant articles and studies that give you a better glimpse into the world teenagers are living in. [Note: By nature, some of the articles and subject matter we deal with in Trends & Culture often conflicts with our beliefs and ethics as Christ-followers. Our purpose in linking to this type of material is to simply give you the option of knowing the culture your students are surrounded by. Use discretion to determine which links to click on.] We'd love to know that we're not just equipping you, but those you serve, as well. Consider using this article to equip your community in the following ways:

• Email this link to your adult volunteers
• Repost it on your blog or church website
• Email the link to all your parents to help equip them to better understand their teen's world
• SHARE IT with your youth ministry networks. This is a great way to help your peeps!

Without further ado, here are some relevant links we think you should know about.

Some Social Media & Tech News

• So, there is a new disorder: FAD, or Facebook Addiction Disorder. What do you think? Is this legit? Or bogus? (h/t SocialTimes)
• Put this in the "too weird to pass up" category: a Japanese lab is developing a device that lets people "e-kiss" over the Internet. Um, weird.
• The Top 10 Twitter trends for April. I love what a snapshot of pop-culture these provide. (h/t Mashable)
• This is a really cool article on why more and more teens are embracing Tumblr as a social media outlet. It's not too long and worth the read.
• Yet another voice (this time an industry heavy-weight) who says the future of gaming will not be done on consoles.
• Those apps on your smart phone? A third of them weren't downloaded by you.
• A new app called Bully Block allows teens to capture threatening texts, conversations, and images from their mobile device to turn in to authorities.

A Glance At Recent Research

• This is a really interesting study done on how US mothers use the Internet and social media. Here's the gist of it: Moms, as a whole, are really quite plugged-in. It seems to me there are some youth ministry applications here. Maybe you should have a strategy that includes targeting students' mothers as the key information point? Maybe you already do . . . :) (h/t The TrendWatch)
• In what is really a surprise to no one, a new study shows it is harmful for parents to allow their teenagers to drink alcohol under their supervision.
• A new study shows that a habit of gathering for "family dinners" actually leads teens to have less problems with eating disorders and healthier weight overall.
• Thankfully, a new study shows that most retailers are NOT selling violent games to minors.

The World of Youth-Culture & Entertainment

• MTV has a video of some young adults reacting to Osama Bin Laden's death. (h/t YPulse)
• What does quality family time look like in the age of personal electronic devices? This article from the NY Times shows that families are increasingly together without being "together." (h/t YPulse)
• A little bit of turnover at the top of Billboard's Hot 100. As usual, this is a great way to watch and listen to what your students are watching and listening to. But, do so at your own discretion. It's usually a mixed bag of some pretty debased stuff.

That's it for this edition of the ym360 Trends & Culture report. Look for another one the week of May 16.

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Any specific study or link stand out to you? Disagree with anything? Let us know by sharing your thoughts below.