On the Radar: Kids Trust Parents Most About Faith, Little League Betting and ‘Milkshake Duck’

On Faith, Kids Trust Parents More Than Social Media

What? Good news from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA: In a new study, it found that adolescents from Generation Alpha to Gen Z trust their parents and faith leaders more than social media and other digital content when it comes to spiritual matters.

So What? While younger generations do seek out online content related to faith, they still rank “people they know in person, such as faith community leaders and parents or caregivers, as their most trusted sources for understanding their faith.”

Now What? This is encouraging news for parents—and not altogether surprising. Gen Alpha and Gen Z have shown an affinity for authentic content, and parents often provide children with their first genuine example of faith. No wonder additional studies have indicated that the biggest factor for a child keeping their faith is the spiritual example set by their parents.

Betting Odds on the Little League World Series

What? While not allowed in the United States, offshore sportsbooks like BetOnline Sports & Casino offer betting odds to those who would like to gamble on the Little League World Series (LLWS). This is in response to the “massive demand” to bet on the youth sport classic, which even exceeds some established professional sports.

So What? It’s bad enough when a parent takes things too far while watching their child play a sport. Can you imagine how someone who has money riding on the outcome of an LLWS game might react to a mistakemade by a 10- to-12-year-old?

Now What? Hopefully, we can agree with the statement the LLWS put out on the trend: “No one should be exploiting the success and failures of children playing the game they love for their own personal gain.”

Heads Up for ‘Milkshake Ducks’

What? Heard the term “milkshake duck?” Originating from a then-tweet by cartoonist Ben Ward, it’s a term for a person who is initially popular, then is subsequently revealed to be problematic in some way.

So What? While the term itself is silly (and humorous in its original context), it has been used to label individuals as objects of scorn and ridicule in the wake of initial popularity.

Now What? If you hear your child referencing a “milkshake duck,” ask them about the context in which they’re using the term. While bad behavior should be recognized and called out, the “milkshake duck” trend can easily become an excuse to bully someone, especially online.