Plugged In Blog

Movie Monday: ‘Wicked’ Has Oz-um Opening
‘Glicked’ didn’t do quite as well as last summer’s ‘Barbenheimer,’ but it’s certainly not green with envy either.

On the Radar: Teen ‘Threat Alert,’ the Castor Oil Trend and Bluesky
Isolation raises “threat alert” in teens. The new castor oil trend perpetuates toxic diet culture. What do parents need to know about the social media app Bluesky?

Best Games of 2024: Plugged In’s Year-End Picks
After some brave consideration (and some serious gaming!), here are Plugged In’s year-end picks for the best games in 2024 …

Episode 261: ‘Wicked’ and the World of Musicals. Plus, Plugged In’s New Tech Guide!
LISTEN TO THE PLUGGED IN SHOW, EPISODE 261 It’s shaping up to be quite a weekend at the local multiplex. I expect I’ll be talking

What Teens (and Kids) Want for Christmas
Kids and teens are getting Christmas gift ideas from TikTok and YouTube. But that comes with a number of problems for parents.

A Conversation with John Rhys-Davies
We’ve seen John-Rhys Davies as Sallah in ‘Indiana Jones’ and Gimli in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films. But we’ve heard his talent, too …

Movie Monday: ‘Red One’ Flies to Victory
Red One, wherein Santa Claus himself is kidnapped, went to the top of the box office, unwrapping $34 million worth of North American Christmas cheer.

On the Radar: Moldy Lunchly, Crashing Out and Tren
Check your Lunchly for mold before eating. Why Gen Z is “crashing out.” And what parents need to know about the steroid Tren.

Gambling for Children: The Problem with Loot Boxes
Gambling in the U.S. is regulated to adults. But one video game mechanic all but circumvents those rules, and it affects children the most.

Episode 260: When Should I Give My Kid a Cell Phone? Plus, ‘Bonhoeffer’
We offer some strong thoughts on when you should start considering a phone, as well as some pragmatic guidelines on keeping phone usage in check.
About Us
Good media discernment is about guarding our eyes and hearts before we watch or listen. And it’s also about grappling with the entertainment we do see or hear. That’s why the Plugged In Blog is devoted to guarding, discussing and grappling. About Plugged In >>