Preteens’ Media Intake

Here’s some interesting stats regarding media consumption:

Young people, ages 8-18, spend an average of 7.5 hours a day consuming some type of media.

Smartphone owners spend an average of 30 minutes more a day interacting with media compared to those who don’t have smartphones. (How many preteens in your group own one?)

The stimulation that media brings (heightened with the introduction of the smartphone) provides excitement…which researchers say can be addictive. In it’s absence people feel bored.

There is a 12% increase in multi-tasking when people consume media. Too much multi-tasking leads to stress, inhibition of creative ability, inability to problem solve and slower thinking.

Think about this…

The smartphone is new to us. I remember when the very first mobile phone was introduced into the market. Do you? It was heavy, big and rectangular in shape. I remember when the internet didn’t exist. Do you? The preteens in your group weren’t alive back then. They are a generation where the internet, smartphones, iPad, etc. are simply a part of everyday life. Media is all around and it is here to stay.

As those who lead preteens, our objective is to train them to become responsible consumers of media. One day they will have full control of what music they listen to, what they search for online and the movies they watch. Our goal is to train them now, while they’re still moldable, to chew the meat and spit out the bones. So that as they get older, it happens automatically. Like a reflex. But the training starts now.

I believe the biggest problem young people face today is the inability to filter the media they consume. Preteens take in massive amounts of media and let it affect their thoughts, beliefs and actions. Often, without consciously knowing it. That’s the secret weapon of sin and temptation. They sneak in as seemingly harmless – under the radar. They become what we believe to be normal or acceptable, and that is when we set ourselves up for failure in the area of sin.

A great discipline we can teach preteens is pay attention. Help them to see the messages that are coming their way. Help them to accept the good messages and reject the bad ones. Help them to guard their minds, sometimes choosing on their own to not watch a video or image or listen to a particular song.

Looking for a good series to help preteens filter their media intake? Check out our newest small group series, Under the Radar.