News and Notes from the world of Al Menconi

Slang Words: 10 Things Teenagers Are Saying These Days

2012-01-31T13:54:00.000-08:00

The Huffington Post Canada Arti Patel First Posted: 12/2/11 07:34 AM ET Updated: 12/5/11 04:25 PM ET For many, the holidays mean family gatherings and talking to people of all ages. If you're usually the parent trying to decode words like "noob," "pwned" and "flop" during conversations with teenagers -- we're here to help.We talked to tech expert Marc Saltzman about why parents should

Two Kinds of Fanaticism

2012-01-31T12:57:00.000-08:00

Two Kinds of FanaticismAn editorial by Dennis Prager, January 31, 2012 NationalReview.com The Muslim world is threatened by religious fanaticism. The Western world is threatened by secular fanaticism.Both seek to dominate society and to use state power to do so. Both seek to eliminate the Other — for Islamic fanatics that means non-Muslim religions and secularism; for secular fanatics it means

Young, in Love and Sharing Everything, Including a Password

2012-01-22T15:56:00.000-08:00

Young, in Love and Sharing Everything, Including a Password By MATT RICHTEL, NyTimes.com January 17, 2012 Young couples have long signaled their devotion to each other by various means — the gift of a letterman jacket, or an exchange of class rings or ID bracelets. Best friends share locker combinations.The digital era has given rise to a more intimate custom. It has become fashionable for young

Cee-lo and Imagine

2012-01-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

Cee Lo Green Outrages John Lennon Fans By Changing Lyrics to 'Imagine' Performed on New Year's Evebroadcast from Times SquareBy MATTHEW PERPETUA JANUARY 2, 2012 rolling Stone online Cee Lo Green performs during New Year's Eve in Times Square in New York City Cee Lo Green upset John Lennon fans on Saturday night by performing a soulful version of the songwriter's classic "Imagine" with the

Top Teen Insights & Trends Of 2011

2012-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Top Teen Insights & Trends Of 2011 by Nick Fuller, Dec 15, 2011, MediaPost.com A lot has happened this year and teens have taken notice. World events, economic pressures, personal milestones, friends, education and brands all play big roles in influencing the lives of teens. Teens are evolving and maturing as fast as the technologies and platforms we build around them. We caught up with 300, 13

Teens Hear 34 Liquor Brands a Day in Rap, Hip-Hop Music

2012-01-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES ABC "Good Morning America Oct. 20, 2011 For every hour that American teens listen to music, they hear more than three references to brand-name alcohol -- about 34 in the course of day. This heavy exposure could contribute to youth addiction, according to a University of Pittsburgh and Dartmouth University study published online today in the international journal,

'Talk' isn't cheap when Rihanna is in control

2011-11-28T10:56:00.000-08:00

We've reprinted this article about Rihanna's new album, Talk That Talk by Steve Jones of USA Today on 11/20/11 to show you how casually raunch, S&M, and other sexual topics in Rihanna's songs are treated by the secular media. I'm concerned our children believe that singing songs like the ones featured on her album and discussed in this article are acceptable. And why shouldn't they be

The Social Costs of Pornography

2011-11-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

The Social Costs of PornographySean McDowell posted on his blog Worldview with Sean McDowell, October 17, 2011 Pornography is tearing apart the fabric of our society. You may think this is an overstatement. After reading, “The Social Costs of Pornography” by the Witherspoon Institute, I think it may be an understatement. In 2008, the Witherspoon Institute sponsored the first multidisciplinary

Facebook Porn Attacks: How to Protect Yourself

2011-11-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

By Mark W. Smith, Detroit Free Press, November 16, 2011 Many Facebook users have gotten an unexpected eyeful this week as pornographic and violent images have infiltrated news feeds across the globe as part of a coordinated spam attack. It's a jarring sight for a place like Facebook, which for many is a safe haven to communicate with friends and family members. Many of the pornographic posts

What Teen Sex on "Glee" Really Teaches Kids

2011-11-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday night, one of television's most recognizable gay characters, Kurt on Glee, lost his virginity. In doing so, he taught a lot of teens about sex.Which is why media watch groups were up in arms. The Parents Television Council (PTC) said the show's "celebrating teen sex constitutes gross recklessness." "Teen sex is now more prevalent on TV than adult sex and Glee is only playing into that

Failure To Launch: A Growing Epidemic Among Young Men

2011-11-14T10:31:00.000-08:00

GOLD LAKE, Colo. (AP) — They don't HAVE to get up. "Get out of bed, don't get out of bed," they're told. "But if you don't, you don't progress. It's up to you." In fact, by 8:30 a.m. breakfast, most of these young men's beds are made, sort of, and they've either been to a yoga session, or for a walk around the lake in this remote mountain retreat. The aim here starts out that simple: Get up.

TV vs. Books: What's Winning Your Kids' Time?

2011-11-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

TV vs. Books: What's Winning Your Kids' Time?CommonsenseMedia.org/family-media-managementby Caroline Knorr, on 10.25.11Did you read to your kids today? Did you park them in front of the television? Did you hand over your iPhone to keep them from whining at the grocery store? If so, you're not alone. A new study by Common Sense Media found that kids ages 0-8 spend an average of two hours a day

Children and TV

2011-11-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

Facebook tied to poor mental health in teens: What parents must know

2011-08-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

The following is a letter Missy wrote to her children. Missy writes the blog: "It's Almost Nap Time!" at http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com Dear Shepherd, Sissy, Maggie and Ikey,   Recently we were told by people whom we love and respect why they oppose our plans to adopt. One of the reasons given was that we would not be able

OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR CHILD

2011-06-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR CHILD Proverbs 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances From June 30, "Daily In Christ" devotional by Neil Anderson All discipline must be based on prior instruction. Make a clear statement of your expectations for a given situation and the consequences for disobedience. Ask your child to repeat what you say to make sure he

It's the Ads, Stupid: Why TV Leads to Obesity

2011-06-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

It's the Ads, Stupid: Why TV Leads to ObesityBy Alice Park Monday, June 27, 2011 in Healthland.Time.com How much TV do your kids watch? If you don't know, you might want to find out, say experts, since the time children spend in front of a TV or computer screen can have a profound effect on their physical and developmental health. In a new policy statement on the role of media on obesity, the

What Have I Done?

2011-06-21T15:51:00.000-07:00

What Have I Done? A Father's Remorse, by Charles Colson, BreakPoint.orgJune 17, 2011On Father’s Day, many young dads spend a happy day with their children -- kids who give them garish ties or cook them a breakfast of rubbery eggs and burned toast.But to some fathers, the day is spent in anguish. It’s a day spent, not with their children, but with their memories of the children

How Much Privacy Does My Kid Give Up in an Hour?

2011-06-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

The following is an article written by Christiana Tyman-Wood and first published in "Common Sense.org" on 6.01.11. This article gives parents an excellent perspective of how their children are being bombarded with information while they are on the Internet. Hopefully, as you become aware you will help your children understand what is appropriate and acceptable for your family. - Al Menconi

Hollywood Pushes a Liberal Agenda? Really? I Had No Idea!

2011-06-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

The new book by Ben Shapiro, called "Primetime Propaganda" makes the case that TV industry executives, writers, and producers use their clout to advance a liberal political agenda. The author bases his thesis on, among other things, 39 taped interviews. Each contains a snippet of an interview by a high level industry executive who casually and often proudly agrees with Shapiro's thesis. This

Your Children Are Living In A Foreign Culture

2011-06-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

I believe parents MUST understand this basic principle in this 3 minute video clip before they are able to understand, connect, and communicate values to their children? It will only take you 3 minutes to watch and it could change your world and help you become a better parent. This clip is taken from Al Menconi's complete two hour seminar for parents called, "Keep Your Kids Safe In This

Jump Start Your Spiritual Warfare Prayer Life

2011-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

My friend, Pat Peglow, wrote the following inspiring article to help us "Jump Start" our spiritual warfare prayer life. It's worth your time. It could change your life. - Al Menconi, editor I was totally caught off guard when I was sitting at a conference for pastors regarding burnout when the first speaker, a medical doctor, spoke these words as the first words out of his mouth: “You have an

2011-05-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

Caroline Knorr wrote the following excellent article to help us teach our children how to have good online manners. We can't expect our children to "know better" unless we teach them proper and reasonable guidelines. In His,Al Menconiwww.AlMenconi.comHow Rude! Manners for the Digital AgeBy Caroline Knorr CommonSenseMedia.orgMay 5, 2011 Teaching Kids Online Manners7 Rules for Online

Docs warn about Facebook use and teen depression

2011-03-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer Yahoo News!Mon Mar 28, 6:45 am ET CHICAGO – Add "Facebook depression" to potential harms linked with social media, an influential doctors' group warns, referring to a condition it says may affect troubled teens who obsess over the online site. Researchers disagree on whether it's simply an extension of depression some kids feel in other circumstances, or a

The Best Books Are Young Adult Books

2011-03-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

Ten Favorite Teen Novels from 2010By: Sherry Early|Published: in Breakpoint.org February 20, 2011 10:03 PMTopics: Books, Religion & Society, Worldview, Youth Issues I’m fifty-three years old, and some of the best books I read in 2010 were young adult (YA) novels. These novels, marketed to young people ages 13-21, are the work of some of the best writers working today.Unfortunately, because

How Do You Address Today's Entertainment With Today's Teens?

2011-03-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

I received the following on our Facebook fan page from a former classmate of my daughters and is now a teacher at the same Christian school where my wife, Jan, teaches. I thought you would be interested in her question and my response as it is a common concern with parents and teachers throughout America. If you are not a "fan" of "Al Menconi Ministries" on Facebook, here's what you missed

Families get the 411 on sexting risk

2011-02-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

Families get the 411 on sexting risk By Kimball Perry The Cincinnati Enquirer, Feb 21, 2011CINCINNATI — The 16-year-old girl, smitten with her adult boyfriend, e-mailed him naked pictures of herself.The girl told her parents, who contacted police. Hurt now is a convicted felon in a case that highlights the dangers lurking for children on the Internet.When she wanted to break up with Clarence Hurt

Why You Need to Watch "Waiting For Superman"

2011-02-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

I just watched, Waiting For Superman. The title comes from one of the producers when, as a child, his mother told him Superman wasn't real. He started to cry. Not because a myth was destroyed like finding out there wasn't a Santa Claus. He was crying because he realized no one was going to rescue him from his life in the projects. He had been waiting for Superman. Our educational system is

MTV's SKINS will make your skin crawl

2011-01-26T15:47:00.001-08:00

The Media Has OVER covered MTV'S new sex, drugs, and perversion show directed to teens called "SKINS," so we won't give them what they want - more exposure! But the Bible tells us in Eph 5:11 to expose sin yet stay innocent of evil. How do I expose sin and keep you innocent of evil at the same time? If you want to read a good exposé of the latest filth attacking our youth, my friend, Jonathan

The Music and Messages of the #1 Hits of 2010

2011-01-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

The Music and Messages of 2010’s Top Songs Written by: Jonathan McKee, the director of TheSource4YM.com, and his associate, David R. Smith and published on Jonathan's blog, December 17, 2010. Jonathan and David researched and commented on all 17 #1 songs of 2010. The article below is edited for space, but you can read the complete unedited article at this link. I highlighted

Rick Warren: The Purpose of Life

2010-12-09T14:43:00.000-08:00

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California . In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond:

A Sobering Peek into a High School Dance

2010-12-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

An article from Jonathan McKee at TheSource4YM.com 10/11/2010 The 16-year-old girl stepped out of the limo, careful to keep her dress from riding up any higher than it already rested on her upper thighs. Clasping her date’s hand, she stepped into the decorated school gym—an ocean theme. The music pulsated so loudly that even her heartbeat soon surrendered to the rhythm, pumping in sync with

The Turf War for Tots

2010-12-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

In TV's battle for the hearts and minds of preschoolers, it's Mandarin and math vs. stories and sparkleAmy Chozick in WSJ.com Nov 5, 2010They're just learning how to tie their shoes and use the bathroom, and yet they represent one of the most important demographics in television. Preschoolers aged 2 to 5 spend an average of more than 32 hours in front of a TV screen each week, according to

2010-12-02T16:05:00.000-08:00

Disney Will Stop Making Princess Movies Because Boys Think They're IckyMOVIE TALK on Yahoo! Movies, by: Tim Grierson, Mon Nov 22 2010, 11:00 AM PST Cinderella, we've got some bad news for you...On Wednesday, Disney will be releasing "Tangled," the studio's 50th animated film. You might think that this would be cause for celebration, but from recent stories in the Los Angeles Times and New York

The Impact of Everyday Interactions

2010-11-22T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Impact of Everyday InteractionsOrdinary moments may become the biggest treasured memory for a childby Allison Akey www.FocusOnTheFamily.com Aug/Sept 2009 Do you ever wonder what memories your children will treasure when they become adults? Down the road, you may be surprised by what they recall. Picture this scene: It is your daughter's 10th birthday. You want to make her party extra special

Study Says, Facebook Use Can Lower Grades by 20 Percent

2010-11-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

Facebook use Can lower grades by 20 percent, study says Study finds university students distracted by social networking site By Suzanne Choney msnbc.com, updated 9/7/2010 6:26:19 PM ET Does the "F" in Facebook stand for an "F" in school? A new study says that college students who are on Facebook while studying or doing homework wind up getting 20 percent lower grades than students who don't

Research shows facebook and studying don't mix

2010-11-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

When college students multitask by using Facebook and studying simultaneously, they get lower grades—20% lower—than those who don't have their Facebook profile running within their visual range. The study, conducted by Dutch psychologist Paul A. Kirschnera and Ohio State researcher Aryn C. Karpinskib, examined the study habits of 219 U.S. university students between the ages of 19 and 54. The

Who's That Texting Your Kids in Class?

2010-11-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Who's That Texting Your Kids in Class 66% of the Time? ParentsBY AUSTIN CARRWed Sep 8, 2010, Reprinted from FastCompany.comThe days of getting caught talking in class are over--and so aren't the days of even gettingcaught.According to a new survey by app developer textPlus, which surveyed more than 600 of its users aged 13 to 17, texting is more rampant than ever in the classroom. A whopping

Study links too much texting, social networking to health risks

2010-11-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

Study Links Too Much Texting, Social Networking To Health Risks By Ed Payne, CNNNovember 10, 2010 CNN) -- All that texting and social networking by teenagers could come back to byte them. A new study by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine links poor health behaviors -- including smoking, drinking and sexual activity -- to hypertexting and hypernetworking. The study defines

Advice To My Daughters

2010-10-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

I thought you might be interested in what I wrote to my daughters when they went to college. It has been 13 years (Allison) and 15 years (Annie) since they started college. I wrote each daughter a “special letter” that covered everything I felt was important. I wanted to make certain that I “expressed my heart” at least once! And only once. If I said it more than once, they would have

Teen Internet addicts more likely to develop depression

2010-10-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Chinese Study Shows Kids On Web More Than Five Hours A Day At Risk!By Tan Ee Lyn, Reuters, 8/2/2010 MSNBC video report HONG KONG — Teenagers who spend excessive amounts of time on the Internet are one and a half times more likely to develop depression than moderate web users, a study in China has found. Researcher Lawrence Lam described some of the signs of excessive use spending at least five

The Courage to Be Bored

2010-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

The Courage to Be BoredKids and Video Screens This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship president Mark Earley July 23, 2010 Reprinted from www.BreakPoint.org If I asked you what your teenage children are doing right now, you might not know. But the New York Times and the Kaiser Family Foundation have a pretty good idea. According to a recent Kaiser study, if your teenager is

Why Profanity Matters

2010-10-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Why Profanity Matters by Alex McFarland, Published in PluggedIn.com 10-11-2010 Magic Mountain, an amusement park in Southern California, is known for a roller coaster named X. Coincidentally, I was there to speak at a youth event when I overheard an X-rated conversation—between churched teens no less. It prompted me to address the issue from stage. I asked, "How many of you struggle with using

Bullying Knows No Bounds

2010-10-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Bullying Knows No Bounds The Tragedy of Tyler Clementi By: Chuck Colson in BreakPoint.Org October 5, 2010 You've no doubt heard about the tragic suicide of Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi. Clementi's college roommate secretly filmed Clementi as he was having an intimate encounter with another man. And then the roommate broadcast the encounter on the internet. Clementi ended his life

Regular time with dad is key to kids' happiness

2010-09-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

Regular time with dad is key to kids' happinessBY ROSEMARY BLACK, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER, Friday, June 18th 2010The key to childhood happiness might be more face time with Dad. Kids who chat regularly with their father are happier than kids who don’t, according to new research.Children who converse with their father “most days” rated themselves 87 out of 100 on a happiness scale, while those

Cyberbullying Linked to Teen Health Problems

2010-09-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Cyberbullying Linked to Teen Health Problems Katie Drummond Contributor AOLNews.com (July 5) -- Teasing and bullying are no longer confined to the schoolyard: Digital abuse -- whether via cell phone, social networking sites or e-mail -- has become increasingly common among kids and teens. In the wake of troubling incidences of cyberbullying-related suicides, a new study has concluded that

Toddler TV linked to low math scores

2010-09-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

Toddler TV linked to low math scoresLast Updated: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 | 10:36 AM ET The Canadian Press Too much time in front of the tube as a two-year-old can predict some negative consequences at the age of 10, a new study suggests.Researchers studied more than 1,300 children in Quebec and found that higher TV exposure as toddlers corresponded to less achievement in math, an increase in being

Before Your Teen's First Date

2010-09-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Do you have young children? It's not too early to start preparing them to interact with the opposite sex. This is an excellent article to help you get started. Let me know if it is helpful.Al Menconi, editor Before Your Teen's First DateTaking Some of the Stress out of Dating By Christina Crawley published 5/4/10 in YM Today.comPrep early.Ideally, the process of preparing your teen to

10 Things Adults Should Know about Teenagers

2010-08-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

10 Things Adults Should Know about TeenagersPointers for Adult Volunteers (and Parents) By Brian Kirk as published in YMtoday.com Brian is a Disciples of Christ minister serving the urban church of Union Avenue Christian in St. Louis. This article was first written to help adult volunteers on mission trips, but I believe the all parents need to read this wise insight. Enjoy. Al Menconi,

Life Rules for Teenagers

2010-08-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Life Rules for TeenagersThis week I thought I’d pass on some classic words of wisdom from Charles J. Sykes, author of the 1996 book Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can’t Read, Write, Or Add. These rules have been incorrectly attributed to a number of other people over the years. Most recently, emails have been circulating stating that they were a part

Just Let Em' Watch TV!

2010-07-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

"Just Let Em' Watch TV!"Jonathan McKee, http://www.thesource4ym.com/ and http://blog.thesource4ym.com My friend Jonathan McKee has an excellent ministry for youth leaders and parents. Check out his site and blog listed above. This blog by Jonathan on "Parents Watching Their Kids Lose Their Innocence" should be read by all parents. Al Menconi, AlMenconi.com This past weekend on my flight coming

Kids and Online Pornography

2010-07-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Kids and Online Pornography Charles Colson, BreakPoint.org July 19, 2010 Everywhere you turn, someone is warning Americans about the dangers of childhood obesity. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver toured the country preaching the gospel of healthier school lunches. The first lady has made fighting childhood obesity her top priority. While I'm all for healthier eating and exercise, I can't help but

Monitoring Teenage Cellphones and Facebook

2010-07-17T23:42:00.000-07:00

In her column for the New York Times, Tara Parker-Pope has some excellent advice for parents on monitoring phones and Facebook. I know many of my readers don't trust the Times, but I believe Parker-Pope has tremendous insight and suggestions in this area. Let me know what you think. Al Menconi, editor Monitoring Teenage Cellphones and

Television and Video Games Lead to Attention Problems in Children.

2010-07-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here is yet another research that validates parents concerns about TV and video games. The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded in their research published July 8, 2010 in their official Journal that the more exposure to TV and video games will lead to an increase in attention problems in children. The following is a very brief synopsis of their conclusions. To read their complete report.

10 Facts You Should Know About Online Pornography

2010-07-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Is pornography overwhelming our society? After reading the list of important facts about online pornography below, I believe you will agree with me that it is a problem that needs to be confronted. If you know someone who is struggling with this issue, I suggest getting help from www.XXXChurch.com. I trust their information and resources. You may want to visit our website at www.AlMenconi.com

The Youth Online Behavior Study for McAfee

2010-06-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Youth Online Behavior Study for McAfeeConducted online by Harris Interactive from May 4 to May 17, 2010. Today’s youth are online pros who know how to navigate through content, play games, and use communication services. Here’s a picture of their general online usage: • Half of kids surveyed say that they have been using the Internet for five years or more, and 58% consider themselves heavy

And Then What?

2010-06-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

When I taught school many years ago, I would privately ask each graduating student in my Bible class the following simple question, “And then what?” It seems like a simple exercise, but it can be very profound. I thought you might consider asking your teens the same question and see what discussion follows. The following is a typical discussion I would have with my students. What do you

Children 'More Likely To Own A Mobile Phone Than A Book'

2010-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Children as young as seven are more likely to own a mobile phone than a book, figures show, fuelling fears over a decline in reading. By Graeme Paton, Education Editor  Telegraph.co.uk Published: 7:01AM BST 26 May 2010 Almost nine-in-10 pupils now have a mobile compared with fewer than three-quarters who have their own books in the home, it was disclosed. The study by the National Literacy Trust

The Best Advice Your Father Ever Gave You!

2010-06-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

The following are the responses I received from my Facebook fan page when I asked, "What is the best advice your father ever gave you?" There are a couple of silly responses, but most show deep insight. Hope you find them helpful. If you have "advice from your father" to add, please post it as a comment.In His,Al There is so much but the one thing i remember and try to pass on to boys, is

Al and Jan's Most Excellent Adventure!

2010-06-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

Do you have a “bucket list?” You know, a list of stuff you want to do before you die? Well, I just checked off an item from my list. Jan and I went whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River about fifty miles east of Sacramento. Wow, what a rush! I’ve been on the inner tube ride at LegoLand with my grandsons, but this was a first for me - rafting on a river that wasn’t in a

Freedom from Porn

2010-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

One CEO Takes a Stand June 7, 2010 Mark Earley for Breakpoint.org Prison Fellowship president In the never-ending battle of the technological titans, score one for Steve Jobs. No, the CEO of Apple hasn't come out with yet another groundbreaking iProduct, at least not since the iPad. But he's done something even more extraordinary—he's brought good values into the mix. Jobs has made it

Media Memory Test!

2010-06-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

MEDIA MEMORY TEST!So you are over 40 and you don’t think you’ve been “brainwashed” by the media! You may have to change your opinion after taking this test. There are 20 questions in this simple test. The scores increase with your age. Your teens may not get any correct. After taking this “test,” ask yourself when you took the time to memorize the answers? How did

Teen Tech Use: Too Much, Too Soon?

2010-06-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

Teen Tech Use: Too Much, Too Soon? Psychologist Gives Advice for Parents on Kids' Tech Exposure NEW YORK, May 25, 2010 “The Early Show” CBS) Technology is everywhere. Cell phones, iPods, Blackberrys and computers are part of everyday life. What does this kind of exposure to electronic media mean for our children? Are they exposed to too much, too soon? CBS News correspondent Michelle

Gaming Addiction Grips Youngsters

2010-06-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

The following article is taken from a newspaper in Great Brittan, but the situation is similar in America. Do you know what games your children are playing? How long do they play? Do you realize more than 2 hours a day or 15 hours a week is considered addiction? What are your family guidelines for the type of games and the amount of time your children can play video games? If you don’t know,

What/Who is Chaotic?

2010-06-01T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is my answer to a mother who wrote me about the video game called Chaotic. She was hoping I could tell her if it was appropriate for her son. Dear Nancy, I am not familiar with Chaotic, but I persued their site and found it very inviting for young boys. I can see why your son wants to play it. Since there are so many games and other entertainment enticements bombarding your him daily, I

Advice to Parents from Facebook Readers

2010-05-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

We posted the following question on the Al Menconi Ministries facebook fan page and received the following comments: “If you could do it again what would you change about your parenting? This is your chance to let other parents "go to school" on your mistakes.” You may notice the general theme of, "Lighten up and and learn to enjoy your children." Al Menconi, editor 1. I would chill out more

Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior

2010-05-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone who is struggling with online porn? PornHarms.com has a free Workbook to help people who are struggling with Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior. I highly recommend this booklet Al Menconi Ministries http://www.almenconi.com/ Parenting help for the Internet age Christian Parenting advice Entertainment advice for parents Keeping Kids Safe In the digital age Keeping Kids Safe

Are You Winning the Battles But Losing the War for Your Children?

2010-05-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

I once believed one advantage of having daughters was that my clothes would be safe. After all, girls wear dresses and ribbons and bows, right? Wrong. As my little girls grew older, all my assumptions blew up. My daughters rummaged through my sock drawer, my shirt drawer, and every other clothing drawer. They figured if it fit or came close to fitting, it was fair game. At first I thought it

2010-05-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

Sneaky Ways Advertisers Target KidsBy Caroline Knorr for CommonSenseMedia.orgApril 28, 2010 You might think you're hip to the tricks that advertisers use to reach kids online. You've seen the ads that play before online games. You know about the flashing banner ads, the contests, the sweepstakes, and even the sponsored Google links that match your search terms. But as technology advances -- and

Homosexual Activist Comes Out God's Way!

2010-05-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

I received a lot of mail last week when I published my response to Christian artist, Jennifer Knapp, "coming out" about her lesbian lifestyle. The following is an article from a former homosexual who "came out" as a Christian. It is important for Christians to read his perspective. In His,Al Menconi Christians, it's about loveMichael Glatze - Guest Columnist for OneNewsNow.com - 5/15/2010 5:

Principal Says NO to Social Networks for Kids

2010-05-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

I agree with Dr Laura 100% on this issue. I couldn't have said it better. Let me know what you think.Al Menconi Principal Says NO to Social Networks for KidsDr Laura's BlogMay 6, 2010 I am very happy to tell you about my hero, Anthony Orsini, the principal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He recently sent the following email to all parents of children attending his

Answer to mother of 15 year old homosexual boy

2010-05-15T09:38:00.001-07:00

The following is my response to the mother of a 15 young man who "came out" as a homosexual. He had been teased his whole life and this is the first time he has ever felt accepted. This mother is still against homosexuality as a sin, but she loves her son unconditionally and is so confused. She wanted her response to be private. My heart breaks for you and your son. This is one of the

Superchick Reinvention

2010-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Superchick is my favorite active Christian rock band. Is Toby Mac a band? If so, Superchick is one of my two favorite bands. I know I am an old man, but I still occasionally like to rock. And nobody does it better than Superchick. Their infectious pop/rock sound will get you out of your seat and stomping your feet. Is that bad? No, I think it is fun. And fun with a purpose. If you are

Homosexuality: What's the Big Deal?

2010-05-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

You may have heard about contemporary Christian music artist, Jennifer Knapp, “coming out” about her lesbian lifestyle. Many in the Christian community believe homosexuality is a sin, but don’t understand why that lifestyle is so offensive to God. It’s a sin because God says so! (Lev 18:22 and 20:13.) So please let me reflect on this issue. Jennifer Knapp has been one of my family’s favorite

Teen may need push to get outdoors

2010-05-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

This article has great suggestions for parents to encourage their kids to play outdoors. Hope you like it! Al Menconi, Al Menconi Ministries, AlMenconi.com . Teens May Need Extra Push to Get OutdoorsParents may need to get creative _ and active _ to get teens outsideBy JENNIFER FORKER For The Associated PressApril 14, 2010 (AP)It's a familiar refrain in homes with teenagers: "Shut

Sneaking into R-Rated Movies (Without Leaving Home)

2010-04-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Sneaking into R-Rated Movies (Without Leaving Home)By Liz Perle http://www.commonsensemedia.org/April 14, 2010 Sneaking into R-rated movies is so old schoolR-rated content is a click away So what can you do? Watch Common Sense on Good Morning AmericaSneaking into R-rated movies is so old school I clearly recall telling my then 13-year-old son that the movie Superbad was a total non-starter for