Why Sexting is So Popular
Every student I have ever spent serious time with eventually complains, “There is nothing to do around here.”
I’ve been around the block a few times so let me tell you: There’s always nothing to do around here. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the middle of a city, suburbia, or corn fields. Boredom is part of student life.
Now this sexting trend is running rampant and they’re telling us that 20% of teens have done it.
Why is sexting even an issue? I think it’s the same reason students get so bored.
Forgive my broad generalizations and help me get to the point here. When their kids are young, most parents put a lot of energy into keeping them happy. We want to protect them from the hardships of life and let them enjoy their childhood.
By the time the time they are teenagers, and sometimes not even until college or after college, most students have had very little (real-life) responsibility. For many, their basic needs are taken care of and a majority of their time is spent finding entertainment and having a good time.
This me-centric period of life leaves students wanting. That’s why they can be surrounded by movie theaters and coffee houses and still be convinced that there is nothing to do while grandparents rant about this ungrateful generation. When such a great majority of your life is consumed with making yourself happy, you soon find that selfish pleasure can only take you so far.
Unfortunately, the barrage of media and culture only enforces these misconceptions and keeps students from digging deep to discover what’s really going on. All they hear, and consequently all they think, is “do this, buy that, experience this, and you will be popular and happy… tomorrow.”
This very simplistic view of adolescent life uncovers part of the root of so many issues students deal with, from sexting to drinking to drugs to sheer boredom. It’s all part of the relentless drive for fulfillment that students constantly believe is right around the corner.
Youth ministry often strives to pull students out of the snares of sin by telling, teaching, loving, discipling and encouraging, “don’t sin.” But for some youth, that leaves a huge void: So what else should I do with all this time and energy on my hands?
Do Hard Things has some great suggestions for this. I like their approach and what it means for the broader efforts of youth ministry.
Students are passionate and ready to give themselves to a purpose. Is your youth group giving them something to live for, both in theory and in practice?
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Posted in Youth Ministry Resources | 
Tags: Do Hard Things, Instilling Godly Character, Peer Pressure, Sexting
GREAT post. We’ve been trying to figure out how to do this. How do we do ministry in such a way that when they’re bored on a Monday afternoon they go, “Oh ya, we’re working on this thing for youth group I’m going to do ______ .” ?
I’ve got a couple vague ideas, but right now we’re still trying to embed vision. It’s got to start with vision, right?
Vision is good. I would have totally agreed with you a couple weeks ago. But in the book I’m reading, Hurt, Chap started talking about how students seem to live in different categories or pillars of thinking, and they’re for the most part unable to connect categories.
For example, in the “church and God” category, there might be character training and vision. But that doesn’t automatically switch over to the “what to do when I’m bored category.”
So I’m thinking what’s needed more is helping students apply and practice God-focused, purpose driven lives, and coach along the way, so it goes further than teaching vision.
That’s real lofty and not practical though.. still working on that part. Thoughts?
Really good post. It sounds a lot like what you were talking about in the review of Hurt a few posts ago and makes complete sense, now that I look at it that way. Kids have so much “free time” (hours, days, years) that they fill with essentially empty entertainment. Yes, if only it can be turned towards higher things…
Def it has to go beyond vision, but if we don’t start with vision are we assigning menial tasks? Optional homework doesn’t seem like it’s going to inspire them to put down the camera phone. I would need a “Why?” first.
If our vision is compelling and engaging, I’m hoping that we can more effectively tie a function to it. You think? Or are they really just looking for something - anything - to do?
You’re right, optional homework is… well, homework. Don’t get me wrong, vision is great and needed. But it must get intensely practical if it’s really going to engage a student.
Vision is hard to be compelling alone, but when you tie it to actions, it’s got something to really gain traction. The vision needs some feet, that’s all. Vision with “let’s get started–in fact here’s how.” I think that’s what they’re looking for–purpose AND/WITH something to do.
Honestly I tend to lead more to what you are saying with practical ideas. What is the point of youth group if after that one day they go off and do worldly and terrible things. To me the solution isnt “what” its “who” instead of finding things to do trying developing the friendships between the kids. This will not only give them options of things to do but long term an accountability base and easy alternatives to peer pressure.