Technology and Youth Ministry

Folks this is an important article to read.  It is a snapshot of what is happening in the world around us all the time. The growing dependence on technology, but more so, the need for communication.  Are you carving out time to be with your kid?

From Youth Specialties…

I’m an unashamed tech junkie, which is proving to be a major asset in youth ministry. While pastors roll their eyes and insist that programs are most important… research is continues to show just how powerful the small screen is to our target demographic.

Some top-line stats may surprise you about the average 12-24 year old (or not, if you are one):

• They personally own 8 devices (including MP3 player, PC, TV, DVD player, mobile phone, stereo, games console, and digital camera)
• They frequently conduct over 5 activities whilst watching TV
• 25% of them agree that “I’d rather stay at home than go on a holiday with no internet or phone access”
• A quarter of young people interviewed text or IM (instant message) friends they are physically with at the time
• They have on average 123 friends on their social network spaces
• And the first thing the majority of them do when they get home is turn on their PC

Yet despite living such a ‘connected’ life, kids these days still find technology a means to an end – primarily meeting up with their friends, watching television and listening to music. Above all, youth’s obsession with technology is around communication. The average person surveyed was doing 5 simultaneous actions whilst they watched television these days; and the majority of those actions involved communicating at some level. One young teenage girl admitted “I talk to my friend and MSN (instant message) her at the same time.” In fact, a full 34% of those asked said that they texted friends they were with at the time.

These activities seem to be making up for not spending as much physical time with their friends as they’d like – which seems to be most of the time. On the weekends, when typical young adults have the most free time, they are still spending more time hanging out with their mates and watching television than any other activity – the difference is that this generation tends to be engaging with their connected devices a lot more whilst doing those cherished activities. source

Thoughts?