The freedom of self-expression has become a catch-all justification for everything done online. Why should children be allowed to have social media at a young age? Because they need to express themselves! Mark Zuckerberg even used this justification of ‘self-expression’ under oath in the landmark social media addiction trial. In this episode, Kelly exposes how ‘self-expression’ has been hijacked to exploit children and steal childhood. What was once “play” is now “performance,” and what used to be “creativity” is now “content.”

This is a foundational episode that helps parents understand the larger cultural narrative at play. Also, upcoming episodes build on this idea that ‘self-expression’ is a necessary part of childhood.

Articles referenced:

Different Creative Playgrounds: Use Social Media for Creative Development
Kids Mental Health Foundation: Kids and Social Media
What kids are actually doing on social media and why that matters
How Online Communities Can Help Children
The New Era of Self-Expression: How the next generation are tackling social media, creativity, and authenticity
Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens
Unlock the Power of Self-Expression

Scripture referenced:

Genesis 1:27
Ephesians 2:10
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Proverbs 22:6
Matthew 6:1
Acts 2
Proverbs 22:15

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Flowing from the idea that children need to express themselves online to form an identity, video game avatars serve as an introductory and primary portal for this. The cosmetic economy of avatar customization generates billions in revenue for game makers, while users pay and play their way into discovering their identity.

The ability to customize your appearance in the game isn’t just a fun feature. As we reveal in this episode, avatar customization can shape children’s real-world identities. But identities are not created or curated – they are given by God. This is one more way video games disciple children away from the gospel and into a self-above-all-else, unbiblical worldview.

Listen in as we inform and equip parents to know about and act against this unseen evil.

Article references:

Avatars in Gaming: How Roblox and Fortnite are redefining digital identity
The Joy and Liberation of Customizing Your Avatar
The Art of Avatar Creation
Understanding Children’s Avatar Making in Social Online Games
Young People and Gender Identity: Subverting the ‘body’ in massively multi-player online role-playing games
The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People
The Impact of Avatars on Self-Perception and Identity in Gaming
“I am the character, the character is me”: A thematic analysis of the user-avatar relationship in videogames
Gaming Disorder: A systematic review exploring the user-avatar relationship in videogames

Scripture References:

Genesis 1:27
2 Corinthians 5:17
Colossians 3:3
Romans 1:21
1 Corinthians 6:20
Jeremiah 17:9
Proverbs 4:23
Matthew 5:28
Mark 7:21-23
Galatians 6:8
John 17:17
John 8:32
Luke 12:15
Hebrews 13:5
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Genesis 2:15
Mark 9:42
Genesis 1:28
Psalm 139
Proverbs 3:5
Psalm 5:5
Psalm 11:5
Galatians 2:20
Romans 12:2
Acts 17:26
Ephesians 2:10
Esther 4:14
John 16:33

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Meta Ray-Ban Smart glasses have exploded in popularity. They allow people to film strangers without consent or even their awareness, which means that ordinary public interactions can now be turned into social media content.

How are Christian parents to think about this latest tech gadget? And strangers becoming content?

Articles referenced:

Pranksters and pickup artists are using Meta Ray-Ban glasses to harass strangers for content
So-called ‘manfluencers’ are filming themselves trying to pick up women. Smart glasses are their perfect tool

Scripture referenced:

Genesis 1:26-27
Genesis 9:6
James 3:9
Matthew 22:37-40
Philippians 2:3-4
Romans 2:10
Matthew 6:1-6
John 12:43
Galatians 1:10
1 Peter 1:14-16
Romans 12:1-2

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Generative AI apps such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude have rapidly become the go-to parenting sages. Every type of parenting question can be answered efficiently and with (what sounds like) expertise. Undoubtedly, these apps offer parents help during stressful times. But is this the way God intends for us to receive parenting advice and practical wisdom? What is lost when human relationships and struggle are removed from the parenting equation?

Articles referenced:

OpenAI CEO Can’t Imagine Parenting Without AI
I Co-Parent with ChatGPT – I love turning off my brain and letting AI help raise my child

Scripture referenced:

Genesis 3
Deuteronomy 32:7
James 1:2-4

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Often, apps begin with noble intentions of “connection” or “education.” While they promise to be different, they inevitably resort to classic tactics for maximum engagement: streaks, coins, leaderboards, FOMO, and notifications. In this episode, Kelly uncovers this trend using Duolingo and Zigazoo as examples. This trend of app devolution is important for parents to understand. You may not be able to keep track of every app update, but you know your child, and you can recognize when something has changed.

Articles referenced:

Brave Parenting Guide to Duolingo
Brave Parenting Guide to Zigazoo
TED Talk: How to Make Learning as Addictive as Social Media
How Machine Learning Supercharged Our Revenue by Millions (Duolingo Blog)

Scripture referenced:

1 Thes 5:4-6
1 Thes 5:19-21
1 Peter 5:8
Matt 18:8-9

⇒ DOWNLOAD: App Evaluation & Test Everything Guide

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After years of doing nothing, Big Tech social platforms started releasing new “teen safety” and “parental controls” to show how much they care about and prioritize children’s safety. The problem with these new safety features is that they are not enough. It’s the design of social media and games that creates spaces of chaos where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

Articles referenced:

Time Limits for YouTube Shorts Scrolling
Deeper Insights with Snapchat’s New Family Center Features
Roblox’s AI-Powered Age Verification
TikTok to Tighten Age Checks in Europe
Meta Pauses Teen Access to AI Characters
Instagram is Testing a New Definition of ‘Friends’

Scripture referenced:

Judges 21:25

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In today’s Brave Briefing, Kelly reviews the new book, The Amazing Generation by Jonathon Haidt and Catherine Price. Written for a Gen Alpha audience, this book aims to inspire rebels who don’t let technology use them. This book serves almost as a hopeful sequel to The Anxious Generation, which highlighted the harms done to Gen Z by online media and technology. Listen in to this brief episode to get our take on this book.

Get The Amazing Generation on Amazon.

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Lots of companies promise solutions for taming screen time (for kids and adults). Joining Kelly today on the podcast is Heather Wilkinson, sharing her personal story about excessive screen time, parenting, and the most powerful force for change: The Brick.

The Brick is a physical device you tap in order to unlock the phone restrictions you’ve set up for yourself. Kinda like tap-to-pay, but better! It still requires intentionality and self-discipline but it may just be what can help you as well! Check out The Brick for yourself.

Books referenced:

12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You

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Buy the NEWLY UPDATED book: Managing Media Creating Character (2024 Revised & Updated)

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