In light of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, we’re re-releasing our episode on social media. “YouTube/Social Media Influencer” has recently charted as the top vocational aspiration for teens and pre-teens in the U.S. and UK. Join Kelsey and Jonathan as they discuss this cultural phenomenon and what it means for discipleship.

Check out The Concurrently Companion for this week’s downloadable episode guide including discussion questions and scripture for further study. Sign up for the News Coach Newsletter at gwnews.com/newsletters.

We would love to hear from you. You can send us a message at newscoach@wng.org. What current events or cultural events are you wrestling through with your kids and teens? Let us know. We want to work through it with you.

Further Resources:

• Read “How to Gain an Audience and Lose Your Soul” by Patrick Miller on The Gospel Coalition.
• Learn more about the Harris Poll/LEGO Group’s global survey asking kids: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
• Learn more about healthy boundaries for social media at the News Coach Blog.

Concurrently is produced by God’s WORLD News. We provide current events materials for kids and teens that show how God is working in the world. To learn more about God’s WORLD News and browse sample magazines, visit gwnews.com.

Today’s episode is sponsored by New College Franklin.

Through the college years, students go through an intense period of growth - intellectually, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. So as you are thinking about college options, consider not only what you want to do, but who you want to be. New College Franklin is dedicated to spiritually forming students by discipling them through the seven liberal arts for wisdom, virtue, and service. As a four-year classical, Christian, liberal arts college, nestled in downtown Franklin, Tennessee, New College Franklin focuses on the great ideas, the Trivium, and the Quadrivium; to contemplate the good, the true, and the beautiful, and to go out into the world for Christ's kingdom with humility and confidence. Applications are still open for the 2024-2025 school year. Find out more at newcollegefranklin.edu/world.