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

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

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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

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!