Today, I want to warn you about yet another viral teenage TikTok video challenge, this one that’s been around for awhile, but has seemed to find new life resulting in some dangerous practices, hospitalizations, and even death. Social media’s Benadryl Challenge hit the news again last month when the parents of a thirteen year old girl found her hallucinating with an elevated heart rate of almost two hundred beats per minute. Her parents rushed her to the hospital where she was treated and recovered. When doctor’s asked if this was a suicide attempt, the girl said that she had learned from online videos and a friend that taking enough Benadryl would lead to a high. Upon looking through her daughter’s phone, the mother found videos promoting the Benadryl challenge all over her feed. Parents, our kids are impulsive and they are prone to taking risks. But they benefit from warnings that stem from your knowledge, warnings to guide them into caring for their God-given bodies.

Many parents have been playing catch-up when it comes to understanding and setting boundaries around emerging technologies. One such technology is the growing prevalence of online Artificial Intelligence chatbots, a technology which we can all interact with to get answers to our questions, to create photos, and to do research, among other things. Here at CPYU, we have many concerns about AI, chatgpt, and chatbots. Yes, they can be used for good, but there are many stories coming out about teenagers who have interacted with the technology in search for guidance, direction, and answers to their questions. Recently, the family of sixteen-year old Adam Raine filed suit against OpenAi for the role that ChatGPT played in their son’s suicide. Raine was able to bypass some of the safety features to get information about methods of suicide. Parents, our kids are navigating the confusing years of adolescence with many questions. Are you listening and giving biblical answers?

The kids have been back in school for a couple of months now, which has allowed plenty of time for marketers to collect their data on the spending preferences and habits of our kids. The folks at TeenVoice tell us that this year kids were excited about shopping. Using a scale of one to five, the excitability factor averaged about three-point-six, with girls and boys being equal, and younger kids more excited than those who are older to go shopping. When it comes to who is influencing their purchases, social media and parents hold equal influence. You won’t be surprised that this year’s in-demand shoe brands are Nike, Adidas, and Jordans. Preferred backpack brands are Nike, Jansport, and North Face. And what about skinny jeans? Well, they are “out” this year. As Christian parents, we need to mindful of our need to counter the constant onslaught of marketing messages that convince our kids that they are what they wear. Instead, we need to teach them principles and practices of biblical stewardship.