Highland Community Church

2307 Broadway
Highland, IL 62249
June 2009

What Impact Does Social Networking Have on Teens?

With the surging popularity of social-networking sites, chances are that your
teenagers spend the bulk of their online time connecting and chatting with friends.
(Chances are that you've jumped on the bandwagon, too.)

At Facebook, the most popular social-networking site, users make and keep in
touch with friends, post pictures, and update their online "profiles." Other
social-networking sites include MySpace, Friendster, and Xanga. Twitter, another
fast-growing network, combines interconnectivity with "microblogging." Users write
frequent, short bursts of information (also known as "tweets") to keep
up-to-the-minute current with one another.

All this online friend-forming is affecting teenagers' development, according to

experts. Researchers say social-networking sites are shortening attention spans,
encouraging instant gratification, and making young people more self-focused. A
British neurologist warns that extended use of the sites actually rewires the brain,
causing teenagers to require constant reassurance that they exist. Other dangers
are more subtle. Kids may no longer spend time completely alone, enjoying the
benefits of reflection and solitude. Yet they may feel isolated because they're less
likely to be communicating with the real humans in their homes, schools, and
churches. Finally, teenagers may focus even more on all the worries that
accompany adolescence. So instead of escaping from their problems, kids dwell on
them even more.

Use this issue of "The Parent Link" to start exploring your teenagers'
social-networking habits.

Teenagers longing to be loved and admired may

find comfort in having large numbers of online
"friends." But they also need authentic friendships
with people who can help them grow. The
small-group curriculum Guy Talk, Girl Talk (from Here's a snapshot of online
Simply Youth Ministry) offers these insights: social activities:

It's important to be known in a personal and meaningful • Teenagers spend an

way. The world sends the message that more is better, estimated 40 hours online
but God's Word says that "many companions" won't lead each week (or 5.7 hours each
to anything good. The outcome is much different for the day).
person who has a friend that is closer than family (see
Proverbs 18:24). To make friends that last, teenagers • 65% of online teenagers
should… have profiles on
social-networking sites.
1. Be wise in choosing friends. Friendship can't be
rushed. Pick a friend you can trust. • 31% of social-networking teenagers have "friends" on
their profiles whom they haven't personally met.
2. Be authentic in your friendships. You can only be as
close to your friends as you're willing to allow them. • The average number of "friends" in a Facebook network
is 120.
3. Be willing to be held accountable. A friend can provide
helpful perspective. Truth can hurt, but it can also help
us grow.
Start a conversation with
your teenagers about their
communication habits.

1. How much time are you 1. God will protect your teenagers when they're interacting online.
online each week? How
many online friends do you
2. Your teenagers will be prudent about their online socialization and will reflect their
have?
faith in everything they do and say.

2. How many genuine

3. Your teenagers will make authentic, meaningful friends who help them grow as people
friends would you say you
and as Christians.
have? Is social interaction
easier for you on-screen
than in person? Why or why 4. Your teenagers will stay connected to their families, a church, and other real-life
not? support systems.

3. Do you have friends who

keep you accountable, and
vice versa? How well does
Verse of the month
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches…. There is no greater love than to lay down
that work?
one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:5,
13-14)
4. How up-to-date is God
about your life? If you talked
Through faith in Jesus, we have the ultimate "connection" and the ultimate friend. Jesus
to God more, how might
showed friendship by giving his life for us. We, in turn, obey him out of love and share
your relationship with him
the good news of salvation with others. The best thing we can do for our friends is tell
change?
them about Jesus.

At SimplyYouthMinistry.com, youth-culture expert Walt Mueller chats up social-networking sites.

Millions of teenagers now expose themselves, their feelings, and their thoughts in
personal blogs (web logs) posted on one of the many social-networking websites.
Public online journals have replaced hidden, locked private diaries. Today, both
teenage girls and their male peers are openly sharing their "secrets" for anyone in
the world with Internet access to see. Kids use blogs to vent and share commentary
about every aspect of teenage life. They also post pictures of themselves, artwork,
and personality profiles. Self-expression is encouraged, and the sites are highly
interactive. Here are suggestions for dealing with this phenomenon:

First, know what your kids are doing online. Ask if they have their own blog page
and if you can see it. Otherwise, spending some time online can usually get you to their online home. Register for free at
the homepage of Facebook.com, Xanga.com, or MySpace.com. Then use the site's "search" capability to find your town
or school. You'll be flying through a Web of local kids' sites with familiar names and faces. Eventually, you should find
what you're looking for.

Second, read carefully without overreacting. You'll probably find some things on these sites that are surprising and
alarming. While some of it might be marked by exaggeration and embellishment, most depicts what's going on in kids'
lives. Look for clues that will help you discover their problems, challenges, concerns, and struggles. Remember, you're
looking through a window into their world.

Third, carefully and prayerfully prepare your response. Warn teenagers about Internet predators. Discuss what you've
read with your kids. Assure them that your concern is motivated solely by your love and care for them. Most importantly,
bring the light of God's Word to bear on kids' issues and struggles.
 This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie.
Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!

musicspotlight

Albums:
21st Century
Background: FM Static is a pop-punk Breakdown (2009),
side band started by two members of American Idiot
the Christian hardcore group Thousand (2004), Dookie
Foot Krutch. Two of the band's YouTube (1994)
videos have become huge Internet hits,
garnering millions of views.

Albums: Dear Diary (2009), Critically

Ashamed (2006), What Are You Waiting
For? (2003)

What Parents Should Know: Dear Diary

is an interesting comparison to Green
Background: Green Day has been around for almost 20 years. Their sound
Day's latest release. It's also a concept
remains as pop-punky as ever, but the lyrics have deepened—tackling issues
album about two teenagers who are such as war, politics, and organized religion. Green Day has sold 22 million
dealing with big issues. The difference is records in the United States and has won three Grammy Awards.
that on Dear Diary, these questions
ultimately lead to God. FM Static is a
What Parents Should Know: Green Day's angry-punk attitude sounds tired,
positive alternative to Green Day, while
now that band members are middle-aged multimillionaires. Their new album
addressing some of the same tough
is about a young, disenfranchised couple who feels left behind by the church,
issues.
the state, and adults. The band's pessimistic outlook believes in self, leaving
no room for God.
What FM Static Says: Singer Trevor
McNevan discusses the album's
What Green Day Says: Singer Billie Joe Armstrong reflects on the state of
autobiographical roots: "There are a lot
pop culture: "People want blood. They want to see other people thrown to
of…things that I remember thinking.
the lions."
Things like big life questions, and also
things that seem so big when you're in
high school and then you look back at Discussion Questions: When have you felt abandoned by someone, and how
them now and think, ‘That's hilarious, it did it affect you? Read Deuteronomy 31:6-8. Can God's love and presence
totally didn't matter.' " replace that of a human's? How might God's promise in these verses make it
easier to deal with abandonment by others? Explain.
Discussion Questions: Read Psalm
37:1-9. Why should we trust God? Is
that hard or easy for you, and why?
What "big life questions" do you
struggle with the most right now, and
how can God help?

filmwatch
Star Trek
PG-13 (for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content)
Genre: Action-Adventure
Synopsis: Director J.J. Abrams is at the helm of this fun, much-needed reboot of the
beloved science-fiction series. Captain Nero, a Romulan madman, blames just about
everyone for his family's death. He is seeking revenge, and that's the framework for
introducing us to the young new crew of the USS Enterprise.
Discussion Questions: Kirk has problems with authority in this film. Is it ever okay to
push back against authority? Explain. Read Romans 13:1-5. What do these verses say
about the source of authority? What should a Christian do if people in authority are
corrupt or cruel? What if their actions go against biblical teaching? What does
rebellion say about how much we trust God?
 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
LAST DAY OF
SCHOOL!

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GeNESIS FUN Switzer Fest Parade:
NIGHT! Highland IL
Junior High 5:30-7:00 Times: TBA
pm
High School
7:30-9:00pm

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GeNESIS FUN GeNESIS Spring GeNESIS Spring GeNESIS Spring GeNESIS SPRING
NIGHT Retreat! Retreat! Retreat! RETREAT!
Junior High 5:30-7:00
pm
High School
7:30-9:00pm

Switzer Fest Parade:

Highland IL
Times: TBA
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
SIX FLAGS
TRIP/DAVID
CROWDER
CONCERT
Times: TBA

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Important Consent Information: Be aware that on a Sunday Night activity at a different venue or at Highland Community Church, you, the
parents(s) of the the youth you drop off at the church, give your approval for his/her participation in the event or activity. As a parent, by dropping
your student(s) you assume all risks and hazards incidental to the conduct of the activities and transportation to and from the event. When your
student is dropped off at the church, you waive, release, absolve, indemnify and hold harmless Highland Community Church, Jordan Muck, and any
of their respective affiliates, successors, agents, employees, members, and representatives, adult sponsors, and other volunteers involved in the
activities and transportation associated with the event from any and all claims, including claims of personal injury to my/our youth or property
damage, under any theory of law including negligence, but not reckless or intentional conduct) in any way resulting from or arising in connection
with the activities and/or transportation to and from the event

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