Equipping Christian Teens to Think Critically and Make Wise Choices About Entertainment and the Media

We are mostly passive in our choices of media. This is because we too often choose media for the sake of entertainment. What will this do for me? The positive or negative comments that follow are based purely on…me. Because we are each inundated with media in today’s ocean of technology, I believe it is important to take a disciplined look at our choices and make a concerted effort to make the right decision. Ryan M. Blanck has given us just such a tool to assist in that endeavor. It’s a book titled Engaging the Media 2.0. As you may guess, Engaging the Media 2.0 is an updated tool from the original. As technology grows, so does our need to educate. I believe this is a great tool to use in that education.

The premise, no matter the form of media, is based on 3 questions.
1. Is this good for me?
2. Is this in its proper place?
3. Is this a stumbling block for others?

After laying a solid foundation, Blanck tackles all forms of media, always bringing it back to these three questions. With great focus and clarity, he provides exercises and tools for teens to come to their own conclusion. While he doesn’t come across as judgmental, he is unapologetic in his belief that the Bible holds the answers, despite the fact words such as television and Internet are not found in its’ pages. It’s written for teens, but I think this book would be best used in a small group format, where teens could hold one another accountable to the exercises and have plenty of time and space for conversation.

I received this book from my good friends at Salem Publishing/YouthWorker Journal. They don’t force me to say anything nice. They just ask me for my opinion, something I love to give. You can check out this resource here.
—Rick Nier

I think one of the greatest changes I’ve seen in youth during my 20 years as a youth pastor has been in media consumption habits. Both in time spent and content consumed, Christian kids often display little difference than their friends when it comes to practices regarding media and entertainment. It’s great to see another voice in Ryan Blanck tackling this important issue.

I thought every page was filled with good, helpful, true, balanced and scripturally based information. In particular, his recurring three-pronged test is a simple and helpful way for youth to assess their media choices. Given that Blanck specifically says this book is meant for Christian teens, I found his writing somewhat dry and the visual presentation plain and unappealing. Specifically, I wish his interactive questions and instructions (“go and grab a concordance”), were made into end-of-chapter activities, rather than included (nearly indistinguishable) within the text itself.

This isn’t the kind of book I would hand to a teen and say, “Here, read this.” I don’t think many would. However, the information it contains definitely would be helpful in preparing talks or leading small group discussions.
—Jeff Crosby, 20-year youth guy, substitute teacher and youth evangelist, recently moved from Sayre, Penn., to Rochester, N.Y., D.Min. student at Northeastern Seminary

Initial impressions: A pretty easy read with simple stories and easily connected points. Could be read by anyone age 13+. This seems to be your typical self-help, reach your dreams, create goals book.
Pros: Easy to read. It does have some questions and thoughts at the end of each chapter to help you process the material.
Cons: No new information. Just reframing the typical goal-setting material/concepts.
Use with group? I would not use it with my youth group. It is geared for people who currently are working. Most of the examples and homework would not be applicable. I would use this in a college/post-college setting or small group.
—Chris St.Clair, Youth Director, Triumphant Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas; oversees K-12th ministry; greatest talents: hand-talking, defeating third graders in laser tag.

Every student needs to be equipped to discern the messages modern media sends out. Engaging the Media 2.0 by Ryan M. Blanck provides a biblical pattern based on three questions, which a student can use to discern his or her media diet. The information is solid, though general in nature; any student would benefit from this guide to engaging media.
—Garland Owensby, Professor of Youth and Student Ministries, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, Texas. He has served as a youth pastor in North Carolina and Florida, and now as a volunteer in the local church student ministry.