Silence is Golden—Especially If It’s a Silent Phone
If you’re willing to dress up like a cow on Chick-Fil-A’s “Cow Appreciation Day,” you can be assured you’ll be dining on a free entrée. On 7-Eleven’s “Free Slurpee Day,” you’ll quench your thirst without dipping into your wallet. If you traipse into any number of restaurants on your birthday, you’re almost certain to get a […]
A Few of My Favorite Things, Part 4
This time of year we’re offered a lot of “best of” lists: Most important news stories for 2018. Top 10 sports highlights for the year. Best eco-friendly companies for ’18. Even when it’s not an annual compilation, most of us are drawn to these sorts of lists. We love lists. Why, members of the Plugged […]
Can 13 Reasons Why be tragically influential? A Grieving Mom Says Yes, and Why.
When researching a book I wrote about media discernment, I found scores of studies linking numerous negative human behaviors to entertainment. For instance, researchers believe that kids who see characters smoke onscreen are more likely to light up in real life. Other studies link onscreen sexual activities and actual sexual behaviors. But what about suicides? […]
Overcoming Your Biggest Fears with Gaming Technology
What are you most scared of? Snakes? Spiders? Heights? If your phobias are the run-of-the-mill variety, there’s a very good chance you’re in luck. Why? Therapists are treating these sorts of fears now in the safety of their own offices—courtesy virtual reality gaming technology. Take the case of a man named Dick Tracey (not be […]
Sometimes Free Costs Too Much
I get a lot of emails that make me scratch my head. I’m guessing you can relate. For instance, I regularly get one from a female gynecologist wanting me to interview her. I also get frequent emails from some “cannabis-something-or-other” business excited about their various products infused with THC. (I’m not sure what the official […]
The Power of Film (Even a Very Short One)
Recently, I had the privilege of being invited to be one of ten judges for the “Film Your Faith” video contest, sponsored by Faith Counts. Contestants submitted a two-minute video that somehow dealt with the subject of “faith.” The winner, Kyle Churchwell, who created a film called “Faith is Knowing,” got a healthy $20,000 prize. […]
What Does the Bible Say About Entertainment?
The Plugged In team has spent quite a lot of time lately strategizing what Plugged In will look like in the next five to 10 years. We’ve pounded out our mission and vision statements (again). We’ve bantered about the outreaches we currently have, and how they might be even more effective, now and in the […]
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
I wrote about Jeremiah Thomas a few weeks back in a blog that highlighted high-tech bullying. When he took a strong pro-life stance even as he was dying from cancer, he was bullied mercilessly online—but he responded with kindness and love. I’m sad to say Jeremiah passed away this past Sunday. Personally, I’m looking forward […]
Speaking of Speaking …
In my 2011 book, Plugged-In Parenting, I included a chapter titled, “Ten Things You Can Do to End Fights Over Family Entertainment.” One of those suggestions was to get your pastors involved. Here’s what I said: When your kids hear other people—pastors, parents, teachers—echoing your advice on media, they may be more willing to listen. […]
When Social Media Bullying Turns Uglier
When I was in elementary school, I was frightened terribly by a boy named Winfred. Winfred was a huge (I thought) fifth-grade bully. Somehow I had crossed him and as a result, he had threatened several times to beat me up. I worked hard to take different routes home from school (hiding a lot along […]