Kids, Smartphones, and Content Creation

The recently released Common Sense Census offers helpful insights into the ways that our children and teens are using media. One of the more interesting findings from this most recent study is that even though digital devices allow them to be creative, our kids devote very little time to creating their own content. They tend to watch videos and play games rather than making digital art, graphics, music, games, and video. Because we learn in Genesis that we have been made in the image of God and we are commanded to cultivate the earth, we are called to be culture makers. The good gift of technology offers us another landscape on which to create content that glorifies God by pointing to things that are good, true, honorable, and right. If your kids are technologically literate, creative, and interested in creating their own online content, teach them to create content as an act of worship. Encourage them to pursue excellence in style, and truthfulness in content.