Many tech advocates and secular experts believe and promote the idea that children should have their own smartphones. They tout the benefits of self-expression (Ep. 212), education, and outdoor safety. Are these benefits really beneficial? Or, are they just convenient? Because Brave Parenting recommends delaying smartphones until age 16, there’s a full decade gap between their recommendations and ours.

This episode is the INTRODUCTION to a series of 10 podcasts evaluating whether the claimed benefits are beneficial from a biblical and discipleship standpoint. While there are many voices promoting that kids have their own smartphones, Kelly will evaluate the list published by Dr. Peter Gray in his Play Makes Us Human Substack titled “Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely.” In this article, he lists “9 Benefits for Kids of Smartphone Ownership.”

Today, we’ll cover how the secular world aims to desensitize kids to online content, the background and beliefs of Dr. Peter Gray, and his views on the potential risks or harms of smartphone ownership. Kelly evaluates each potential harm so that we can all begin to think biblically (rather than “scientifically”) about what smartphones do to children. Ultimately, it is about understanding that what “experts” and “scientists” conclude will always be skewed because they do not see humans as Image-bearers who are with sinful hearts.

Articles referenced:

Helping Kids (and Ourselves) Use Smartphones Safely
Children Should be Outside for 4-6 Hours Every Day

Scripture referenced:

Psalm 19:1-3
Galatians 5:16-17
James 1:14-15, 12

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A landmark social media addiction trial is happening in California. Meta (Instagram) and Google (YouTube) versus a child who got captured by the content-driven life, which drove her to mental illness and suicidal thoughts. When YouTube VP Chrisos Goodrow took the stand, he noted that they don’t want people addicted to YouTube any more than they’re addicted to reading….”

Is YouTube neutral? Sure, it can be used as a utility for learning, but in the hands of kids who want to be seen, heard, validated, and viral – is this platform actually in the same category as books?

Articles referenced:

YouTube Exec Says Goal Was Viewer Value Not Addiction

Scripture referenced:

1 Corinthians 6:12

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There is a short walk between video games and gambling. The risk-reward and microtransaction economy mirrors casinos. Now, with the rise of sports betting apps and prediction market platforms like Kalshi, teens are falling into “get rich quick” gambling schemes. They are being fed a lie that the modern economy and market no longer reward prudence and delayed gratification. Of course, this issue runs much deeper than apps and games – it’s a worldview and anthropological issue about what it means to be human. In this episode, Kelly explains the growing and concerning trend of gablification and offers wisdom and next steps for parents.

Articles referenced:

Brave Parenting Guide to Sports Betting Apps
Gen Z is Playing the Economy Like a Casino
Financial nihilism: Gen Z gambling meme stock options (Recently Renamed: Why My Generation is Turning to Financial Nihilism)
Common Sense Media: Understanding Gambling Among Adolescent Boys
Hooked and Hustled: The Predatory Allure of Gamblified Finance

Articles that are worthy of reading that were released after this episode was recorded:

Women Wanted: Kalshi Pushes to Expand Far Beyond Sport Bets
Wanna Bet? How Polymarket and Kalshi are Gamifying Truth

Scripture referenced:

Genesis 2:3
Genesis 3
Proverbs 8:12
Proverbs 27:12
Proverbs 13:16
Proverbs 21:25
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Colossians 3:23
Ecclesiastes 5:10, 14, 18
Ecclesiastes 8:7
Proverbs 1:7

Book a Speaking Event!!

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

Get Kelly’s new Study Guide & Workbook, with video teachings for small groups.

Check out our brand new Brave Parenting Merch

Sign up for the Brave Bullet Points newsletter! This helps us communicate what’s happening without social media – a win for everyone!